The Hub for Civic and Global Leadership

The APEX Civic Spark Hub traveled to City Hall in Philadelphia for Experiential Learning Week

Leaders for a changing world.

Through community partnerships, policy labs, global exploration, internships, and real-world simulations, Ursinus students interested in careers related to politics, policy, communication at the local, state federal level, social justice, environment, healthcare, innovation, and the arts will gain hands-on experience in policy writing, stakeholder engagement, and innovative civic and global leadership.

Preparing leaders across majors

The most urgent problems in the world don’t wait for the right major to show up. They need environmentalists who understand justice, storytellers who grasp policy, scientists who think globally. The Hub for Civic and Global Leadership prepares students across all majors to be more than subject-matter experts—to be adaptable, values-driven leaders who can navigate complexity, collaborate across difference, and drive change in communities near and far.

Gain skills, confidence, and global perspective employers and graduate schools value.

Gain career-ready experience through internships, research, study abroad, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations and local, state, and national government offices.
Develop in-demand leadership skills including public speaking, collaboration, negotiation, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving by tackling real policy issues that impact communities around the world.
Stand out professionally by participating in Ursinus’ award-winning Model UN program, becoming a Melrose Fellow, or earning a Peace Corps Prep certificate through specialized coursework and experiential learning.
Work on real-world challenges such as climate change, public health, and social inequality, preparing you to create innovative, sustainable solutions in a rapidly changing world.
Explore limitless career possibilities in law, public policy, international affairs, business, nonprofit leadership, diplomacy, public health, and beyond, while discovering how your interests can create lasting impact.

See the world Differently.

The future belongs to leaders who can think globally, collaborate across cultures, and solve complex problems. Through Ursinus' tuition-inclusive Go Global experience, every sophomore leaves campus to explore how communities and professionals are addressing the world's most pressing challenges.

Whether examining sustainability in Puerto Rico, biotechnology in Ireland, or community resilience in Appalachia, you'll gain experiences that simply can't be replicated in a classroom.

Go Global Details

The Spring 2026 Civic Spark Policy Lab visited a meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, where students were recognized for

The Civic Spark Policy Lab was invited to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting, where they were recognized for the work they will be doing for the Office of Innovation, Strategy and Performance. The students are working on a project on social impact bonds for the county, throughout the semester.
The Ursinus College Model UN delegate in 2026 met with UC grad, Carolyn Smith Strainic ’11, who serves as an Administrative Officer at the UN Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance.
2026 Melrose Fellows at beach in Loiza PR
Civic Spark students spent a week discovering the ins and outs of housing policy in Pennsylvania. They heard from community activists, non-profits, and the PA House’s housing committee. To cap off the experience, they visited Philadelphia City Hall—meeting with a city council member, the mayor’s Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer, and a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, before attending a press conference to see Mayor sign her signature housing initiative—H.O.M.E–into law.
Through Go Global, all Ursinus students embark on an immersive global experience.
Students studying Advanced Environmental Policy visit the state legislature in Harrisburg. B. Berry