Student Life

Civic Life in the Inland Empire

About 

Join the UCR Volunteer Center for Civic Life & Dialogue in the Inland Empire, a year-long civic engagement initiative designed to help students learn, connect, and make an impact in their communities.

Civic Life & Dialogue in the Inland Empire provides students with accessible opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in civic life. Through workshops, dialogue-based learning, community engagement, and partnerships throughout the Inland Empire, students will explore how they can contribute to their communities through voting, service, advocacy, leadership, public dialogue, and other forms of civic participation.

The initiative is rooted in the Inland Empire and brings students together with community organizations, civic leaders, public institutions, and other local partners to explore how civic systems work and how students can meaningfully participate in public life.

Participation & Format

Throughout the Academic Year

  • 2 workshops per quarter — Fall, Winter, and Spring
  • 6 workshops total throughout the 2026–27 academic year
  • Attend at least 1 workshop per quarter to earn a Civic Engagement Plaque
  • Campus and community partners featured throughout the year
  • Food and refreshments provided at every workshop
  • Open to all UCR students — no prior civic engagement experience required

How It Works

  1. Choose Your Workshops – Attend at least one workshop each quarter based on your interests.
    RSVP for the workshops you’re interested in attending and join us throughout the 2026–27 academic year here.
  2. Learn & Connect – Participate in interactive workshops and engage with civic leaders, community organizations, and fellow students.
  3. Complete the Series – Attend at least one workshop during Fall, Winter, and Spring to complete the series participation requirement.
  4. Be Recognized – Students who complete the quarterly attendance requirement will receive a Civic Engagement Plaque recognizing their commitment to civic learning and participation.

Workshop Themes

Workshops will be developed in collaboration with campus and community partners. Additional information, including dates, locations, speakers, and registration details, will be shared as programming is finalized.

  • Fall 2026 | Civic Foundations in the Inland Empire

    Fall programming will introduce students to the foundations of civic engagement and help them better understand the communities, civic systems, and institutions that shape life in the Inland Empire.

    Students will have opportunities to:

    • Learn about local government, civic institutions, and the Inland Empire's civic landscape
    • Explore different pathways for civic participation and community involvement
    • Develop skills for engaging in constructive dialogue across differences
    • Connect with local community organizations, civic leaders, and public officials
    • Reflect on their own civic interests, identities, and goals
  • Winter 2027 | Civic Action & Peer Leadership

    Winter programming will build on students' civic foundations by moving from learning to action. Students will have opportunities to connect what they have learned with hands-on community engagement and leadership experiences.

    Students will have opportunities to:

    • Participate in community-based service and engagement experiences
    • Learn about civic responsibility and the impact of community involvement
    • Develop leadership skills through hands-on experiences
    • Connect with local organizations and community partners
    • Explore pathways to continued civic engagement, service, and public leadership

    In addition to the two Winter workshops, students will have the opportunity to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service alongside local community partners. This experience will connect service

  • Spring 2027 | Media Literacy & Civic Information

    Spring programming will build on students' civic knowledge and engagement experiences by focusing on how they navigate, evaluate, and engage with information in today's rapidly changing media environment.

    Students will have opportunities to:

    • Explore how misinformation and disinformation can shape civic participation and public discourse
    • Build media and digital literacy skills for navigating today's information environment
    • Examine how social media platforms and algorithms can influence the information they encounter
    • Practice evaluating sources and determining the credibility of civic information
    • Participate in facilitated discussions about media, information, and civic life

    Together, these quarterly experiences provide a year-long pathway for students to build civic knowledge, develop dialogue and leadership skills, engage with their communities, and become more informed and confident participants in civic life.

Funding

Civic Life & Dialogue in the Inland Empire is made possible through funding from the VOICE Initiative Grant, which supports opportunities for students to strengthen civic knowledge, engage across differences, and participate meaningfully in civic life.

Learn more about the VOICE Initiative:

You Belong at UCR

All programs, services, and events offered through Student Affairs are open to everyone, consistent with federal and state law and the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Whether you’re seeking support, joining a community, or participating in campus life, every effort is made to ensure your experience is inclusive, respectful, and accessible, regardless of background or identity.

To learn more, visit the UC Nondiscrimination Statement or the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.