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2020 - 2021 FCC Academic Catalog
Center for Student Engagement
Mission Statement
The Center for Student Engagement at Frederick
Community College provides an atmosphere on
campus that invites and encourages all members of
our campus community to celebrate the richness of
the human experience. Through social programming,
personal/professional leadership development,
and the exploration of personal interests, the CSE
promotes respect and appreciation among our
students, faculty and staff for self and others and an
understanding of our shared responsibility to create
an environment that celebrates learning.
Department Overview
At FCC we know your time in the classroom is
only one part of your“college experience.”The
Center for Student Engagement offers you exciting
opportunities to interact with other students,
cultivate your leadership skills in a variety of ways,
and strengthen your knowledge and understanding
of academic disciplines through applied co-curricular
activities.
Student life incorporates much more than classroom
instruction. As a supplement to the academic
experience, the Center for Student Engagement
offers students the opportunity to acquire or further
develop leadership skills through participation
in a broad array of co-curricular programs. Clubs
and organizations on campus are as diverse as
the student population, offering students the
opportunity to participate in program events, meet
students with similar interests, or simply enjoy quality
entertainment both on and off campus.
Participation in leadership conferences and service
projects provides students with hands-on experience
and is a dynamic and vital component of student
engagement. Information about leadership
development, campus clubs and organizations, how
to start a new club or organization and a current
calendar of special events can be obtained by visiting
the Center for Student Engagement, Student Center,
or by calling 301.846.2488.
Campus Clubs
Student clubs and organizations contribute to the
development of the student and enrich campus life.
FCC campus clubs and organizations are student
generated and student run. While faculty advisors
are on hand to assist with logistics, students program
and direct all club activities and events. With over 30
student organizations currently recognized, there are
social, recreational, and academic clubs that support
almost any interest. If there is an interest in starting a
new organization, students are welcome to stop by
the Center for Student Engagement for information
and support. A current list of all active clubs and
organizations can be found in the Center for Student
Engagement or on the FCC website under clubs and
organizations.
Community Service
With community as our middle name, FCC values
opportunities to engage all learners in valuable
service to others. Not only does volunteer service
benefit the community, it builds outstanding skills
and strong resume interest for engaged students. To
support this active student engagement, the Center
for Student Engagement houses a service learning
center that provides volunteer and community
service placement opportunities for all members
of our campus community. Whether you’ve been
assigned a service learning project in a class or
you simply want to give back to the community,
placement opportunities are abundant. Students are
welcome to utilize our free placement service to help
match interest to need for a long-term community
service commitment or simply stop by to participate
in monthly service projects on campus. Regardless
of the level of commitment to service, FCC’s Center
for Student Engagement staff will work with you
to find your perfect placement. Students who have
received a Meritorious Service Certificate from a
Frederick County Public School are invited to apply
their meritorious service hours for recognition at FCC.
The Center for Student Engagement acknowledges
outstanding student service at the annual
Recognition Awards Ceremony in May.
Co-curricular Programs
Because FCC values the profound learning
opportunities that exist outside of the classroom,
programs, events and activities are specifically
designed by a diverse planning team to give students
an opportunity to relate academic subject matter
to real life situations. These co-curricular programs
serve as a complement to in-class instruction, and
engage students in exciting, thought provoking, and
multi-discipline activities. Students play a critical
role in shaping these offerings by recommending
workshops, lectures, trips, and experiences that
enhance classroom knowledge and most faculty
recognize the value of these learning opportunities
by offering extra credit for student participation.
Co-curricular events and activities are posted in the
student/faculty calendar, which can be found in the
Center for Student Engagement, or can be found on
the FCC website under Events.
Leadership Development
FCC values shared governance, meaning all members
of the campus community have a voice in the
decision-making process at FCC. The student voice
is channeled through the Student Government
Association, and every student on campus is
considered a member by virtue of enrollment. While
suggestions and opinions can be shared openly
without organized involvement in SGA, opportunities
exist for students who wish to take their leadership to
the next level.
The SGA holds elections each year to solicit
leadership on many levels. Officers are needed for
service on all-college committees and task forces,
leadership within campus clubs and organizations
and within the SGA itself. No prior leadership
experience is necessary, only the desire to make
a difference, and the commitment to see the
responsibility through.
Leadership is rewarded through nomination for
national recognition, letters of recommendation,
and resume interest. Students who are involved on
campus are also highly sought after by four-year
transfer institutions, local businesses, and community
service providers.
To further support student leadership, FCC is a proud
participant in the Maryland Community College
Activities Directors Association and the Association of
College Unions International. Through membership,
student leaders participate in a series of high quality,
state, regional and national leadership workshops,
seminars, and retreats. These leadership experiences
are underwritten by the Center for Student
Engagement to further support and acknowledge
volunteer service and leadership.