ABSTRACT
The concept of wellness in higher education is multi-faceted as described in other chapters in this volume. The nexus of academic development, civic engagement and well-being provides insight into another aspect of wellness. It can be argued that being engaged in diverse communities helps students succeed in academic endeavors and promotes their own wellness. Civic engagement is a valued educational outcome that has the potential to address and solve critical local and global problems; it teaches students how to become socially responsible citizens. Higher education does more than give students the skills and capacities to be productive members of the workforce; it gives them the confidence, self-esteem and sense of purpose to enable them to find meaning in their lives and careers. It helps them realize that, through both independent and collective action, they can make a meaningful difference in the world. In short, civic engagement has the potential to help students flourish.
