History
In March of 1989, MSU’s 17th President Dr. John DiBiaggio sent an invitation to the formal launch of Michigan Campus Compact. For two years prior, a series of conversations regarding the possibility of creating a state-wide compact in Michigan were held between Dr. DiBiaggio and Frank Newman, Director of the Educational Commission of the States and between MSU Professor and Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Dr. MaryLee Davis, and Susan Stroud, Executive Director of national Campus Compact. MiCC would mark the first time in Michigan’s history that higher education joined forces and set their sights on social change; an ambitious undertaking to say the least. Dr. DiBiaggio extended his commitment to building the statewide network through personal outreach and recruitment of members; engagement of multiple MSU staff in support of the network goals and activities; and providing personal support and guidance to Michigan Campus Compact staff. MSU made the commitment to serve as the founding host institution and became deeply tied to and invested in the future of the Michigan Campus Compact.
Dr. DiBiaggio was joined by the presidents of five other institutions as Founders of Michigan Campus Compact: Albion College, Hope College, Lansing Community College, Northern Michigan University, and The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. In addition to the founding presidents, MiCC sought the guidance and support of key foundation experts committed to our vision. John Marshall, President of the Kresge Foundation and Peter Ellis and Joel Orosz, Program Directors for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation were invited to listen, learn, advise and help channel our thoughts about funding possibilities. Diana Rodriguez Algra was selected as the first Executive Director in 1989.
Today, Michigan Campus Compact stands at thirty-three member campuses. With a renewed action plan at the national level and a more deeply engrained relationship with the Michigan Nonprofit Association, we are poised to enhance the scholarship of engagement while supporting campus-community partnerships across the state.
“MiCC is an organization that “walks the talk” of active collaboration and commitment of students, faculty, and staff which together make sustainable differences and significant engagement in Civic and Service Learning. It has been my pleasure to have watched MiCC grow in its service and engagement of students, faculty, and staff, as well as in its growth in institutions and community partnerships. The vision of the founders of the Michigan Campus Compact has been sustained for more than 25 years. Today our MiCC colleges and universities are making civic and community engagement an institutional priority by educating students for responsible citizenship. The vision has become a reality.”
– Dr. MaryLee Davis, Michigan State University
We are successful today because of the work and vision of Dr. John DiBiaggio and, as a statewide network, we owe him our collective gratitude.