Pathways of Social Impact

This book brings together a range of perspectives to deepen our understanding of students’ interests, motivations, and approaches to social change. At its core is the Pathways framework—a tool designed to help educators better understand and support students’ evolving civic identities and engagement strategies. Accompanied by a student survey, the framework offers a practical means to improve program design, respond to shifting student needs, and establish a shared language across the field of higher education civic and community engagement.

The book is organized into three sections. The first, Pathways Practitioner Profiles, introduces the core knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with each of the six social impact Pathways. The second section presents case studies from eight institutions that have adopted the Pathways in distinct and innovative ways. The final section offers theoretical, empirical, and critical reflections on the framework’s potential to enhance the quality, diversity, and coherence of civic and community engagement programs in higher education.

Designed for faculty, student affairs professionals, and students alike, this volume provides a rich set of insights and tools for advancing high-quality, equity-centered learning experiences. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in student development, civic engagement, and social impact.

Introduction: Pathways Framework and Tool—Thomas Schnaubelt, Sean Crossland, Annabel Wong

SECTION 1: Practitioner Profiles
1. Practitioner Profile Introduction—Sean Crossland, Annabel Wong
2. Practitioner Profile: Direct Service—Mike Moon
3. Practitioner Profile: Community-Engaged Learning and Research—Joanne Tien
4. Practitioner Profile: Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility—Renee Sedlacek Lee
5. Practitioner Profile: Policy and Governance—Lisa Morde
6. Practitioner Profile: Community Organizing and Activism—Shamili Ajgaonkar
7. Practitioner Profile: Philanthropy—Nairuti Shastry

SECTION II – Current Uses
8. Our Starting Point: Using the Pathways to Develop a Comprehensive Social Impact Education Model—Cassie Bingham, Summer Valente
9. Using the Pathways for Public Service and Civic Engagement for Campus Strategic Planning—Ryan W. Flynn, Alyssa Wiseman
10. “To Set Their Own Paths”: Using the Pathways to Help Students Self-Identify Their Unique Roles in Shaping a More Just and Compassionate World—Katie Price
11. Engagement Becomes Curricular Policy: Creating a General Education Requirement to “Inspire Citizens of Consequence” —Sarah Worley, Lillian Case
12. Enhancing Existing Frameworks, Theory, and Program Traditions: An Example of how Implementing the Pathways of Public Service and Civic Engagement Strengthened a 40-Year-Old Program at Georgetown University—Melissa Bernard, Ray Shiu
13. Expanding the Definition of Community Engagement Through the Pathways at Drake University—Amanda Martin
14. Public Service, Personal Growth: Cultivating Civic Mindsets in a Living-Learning Community—Kemi A. Oyewole, Luke Terra
15. Deepening the Connection: Reimagining Service—Vernette Doty, Andrea Tafolla

SECTION III – Theoretical, Empirical, and Critical Reflections
16. Pathways Data: An Overview—Annabel Wong
17. Where Refusal Meets the Pathways: A Relational Praxis in, but not of, the University—Agustin "Tino" Diaz, Brenna Lambert, Priscilla Villaseñor-Navarro
18. Expanding Access and Reframing Perspectives: Exploring Community Engagement Professionals Use of the Pathways Framework—Renee Sedlacek Lee
19. Challenges, Possibilities, and Conscious Responsibility: Directions for the Field—Aaliyah Baker

Afterword: Moving Forward—Sean Crossland, Thomas Schnaubelt, Annabel Wong
Editors and Contributors
Acknowledgements
Appendices

Sean P. Crossland

Sean Crossland is Director and Assistant Professor for the Masters of Higher Education Leadership program and Director for Academic Service Learning at Utah Valley University. Sean is interested in the public purpose of higher education, participatory democracy and community organizing. Sean serves as the co-lead editor for Community Organizing Journal, Vice President for Higher Education with American Federation of Teachers/ Utah College Council, board co-chair for the Community Learning Partnership. Sean also teaches courses in the Masters of Community and Organizational Leadership program at Westminster University and courses with College Unbound. Previously, Sean served as the Director of the Thyane Center for Student Life, Leadership & Community Engagement at Salt Lake Community college, and has taught courses at the University of Utah and SLCC. He earned a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy from University of Utah, an MA in Community Leadership from Westminster College, and a BA in Psychology from Iowa Wesleyan College.

Annabel Wong

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Thomas Schnaubelt

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Community-Engaged Learning and Research; Service Learning; Social Entrepreneurship; Community Organizing and Activism; Philanthropy; Civic Engagement; Campus Strategic Planning; Citizens of Consequence; Civic Mindsets; Pathways of Public Service; Conscious Responsibility

ADVANCING THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
BY DEEPENING THEIR ABILITY TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY LIFE
AND TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FOR CIVIC AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Pathways of Social Impact

Higher Education for the Public Good

E-books are now distributed via VitalSource

Sean P. Crossland

Annabel Wong

Thomas Schnaubelt

ADVANCING THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIESBY DEEPENING THEIR ABILITY TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY LIFEAND TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FOR CIVIC AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Pathways of Social Impact

Higher Education for the Public Good

E-books are now distributed via VitalSource

Sean P. Crossland

Annabel Wong

Thomas Schnaubelt

ADVANCING THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
BY DEEPENING THEIR ABILITY TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY LIFE
AND TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FOR CIVIC AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY