The Changemakers Retreat is an intensive, in-person leadership development experience intended to hone skills, build community, and empower current and aspiring boundary-spanners and changemakers.

Over four days, participants are given the tools, space, and community they need to come into their own identities as campus leaders. Through a series of interactive workshops, equity-centered community building, coaching, and goal setting, participants develop their skills to advance civic and community engagement work on their campus.

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Our last retreat

The 2023 Changemakers retreat will took place from June 24-27, 2024 at Towson University, hosted by the Offices of Partnerships & Outreach and Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility.

Towson University's Office of Partnerships & Outreach builds and sustains relationships with community partners and addresses the needs of the region to make positive impacts on our surrounding communities. The Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility creates a thriving civic culture in which every member of the Towson University community has the disposition, skills and knowledge to be an active co-creator of a shared future.  

Who should attend?

We welcome higher education community engagement professionals in faculty or staff roles who are looking to further develop as agents of change. Participants can be at any stage in their careers. The retreat is limited in size to ensure that the retreat is an intimate, tailored experience for each group of participants.

There is a $450 fee to participate. Participation in the Changemakers Retreat is a benefit of Campus Compact membership and is only open to faculty and staff at member campuses.

Testimonials from past participants

The Campus Compact Changemakers Retreat helps you recharge, connect with others doing the work, and gain perspective and skills to be more effective. Most importantly, there is space to be in community and have deep conversations about the challenges we all face. I left with new resources and new colleagues that I remain connected to.
- Rian Satterwhite, University of Nevada Las Vegas
I left feeling connected, restored, inspired, and re-committed to both personal and professional changemaking. We gained access to an excellent mix of theoretical and practical tools, with a generous helping of community-building, creativity and laughter. I would attend again in a heartbeat.
- Jen Davison, University of Washington

Program Details

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Retreat Design

The Changemakers Retreat focuses on three overarching themes: Identity as leaders, Equity, and Community. The retreat offers dedicated time and space for radical rest, connection, and strategizing. We will identify individual strengths, learn how to motivate others, push for institutional change, and develop strategies to address challenges at participants' respective institutions. Retreat components will include:

  • Centering key tenets of equity and inclusion
  • Developing changemaker ecosystems and collective leadership strategies
  • Peer-to-peer coaching
  • Goal Setting
  • Building connections with the host institution
Timeline

Currently, applications for the Changemakers Retreat open early in the year and close in April to allow enough advance notice for accepted Changemakers to plan travel to the in-person event. Stay tuned for future updates and additional opportunities!

  • Applications open - February
  • Application deadline - April 12
  • Applicants notified of decision - late April 
  • Retreat - June 24-27
Application

Participants are selected based on the quality of application materials. We also strive to have a good blend of position types and career levels.

Preview application questions:

Personal Information
  • First name
  • Last name
  • Institution
  • Email
  • Phone number
  • Main Institutional role
  • Institution type
  • State where your institution is located
  • How many years have you been doing higher education civic/community engagement work?
Demographic Information

Campus Compact is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our field and our broader culture. All demographic information provided by applicants will be kept confidential.

  • Gender identity
  • Race/ethnicity
  • Pronouns
CV, Resume, or LinkedIn

Each applicant must submit a current curriculum vitae or resume focused on their community engagement work. Alternatively, you may provide a link to your LinkedIn profile. A complete application must have at least one option submitted.

Additional Questions
  • Why are you interested in attending this year’s Changemakers Retreat?
  • What do you hope to get out of attending the retreat?
  • How do you describe your work as it relates to being a boundary-spanner or changemaker?