Higher education’s public purpose is realized when institutional power is leveraged to promote social impact, community flourishing,, and a thriving democracy. This in-person symposium brings together key leaders from Campus Compact Campus Action Planning (CAP), Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development, and Building Theory to Practice (BTtoP) networks for a collaborative day of strategic learning and institutional planning.

The event is designed to move beyond abstract commitments, providing engagement administrators and campus leaders with a practical path for integrating civic and community engagement across all institutional functions—from research and teaching to operations and economic influence.

A central focus of this symposium is exploring how the (BtoP) Paradigm framework can support and inform the Campus Action Planning process. Participants will examine how foundational theoretical commitments to student well-being and inclusive excellence can be operationalized through CAP’s five planning domains:

• Institutional Identity: Weaving civic responsibility into core values and campus culture.
• Faculty and Staff Support: Moving engagement from an individual effort to an institutionalized professional responsibility.
• Student Agency: Preparing students to confront complex challenges through community-engaged learning.
• Reciprocal Partnerships: Strengthening ethical, inclusive, and mutually beneficial community connections.
• Infrastructure and Coordination: Aligning administrative structures to sustain long-term engagement initiatives.