Think & Thrive Returns This Fall: Civic Engagement Grant, Upcoming Sessions, and Planning for the Future

Sep 10, 2026 | 1:09 PM
ATCC's Think & Thrive program has received a West Central Initiative Civic Engagement Grant to support a year of civic learning and community engagement opportunities, including free public speaker events and collaborative discussions that bring students and community members together to explore important issues and strengthen community connections.


We are excited to share that Alexandria Technical & Community College Think & Thrive has received funding through a West Central Initiative Civic Engagement Grant, supporting opportunities for civic education and community engagement throughout the year. Through this initiative, ATCC students and community members will come together to explore civic issues, learn from one another, and strengthen community connections.

We hope you'll join us for the upcoming free public speaker sessions, funded, in part, by the WCI Civic Engagement Grant:

  • Wednesday, September 30 | 3:30-5:00 p.m.
    Voting Rights & the 2026 Elections with David Schultz of Hamline University
  • Thursday, October 22 | 3:30-5:00 p.m.
    Free Speech on Campus with C.L. Lindsay of DeSales University

Both sessions will be held in the 700 Building Auditorium (Room 743) at Alexandria Technical & Community College. No registration is required, and attendance is free and open to the public.

As we look ahead, we invite you to help shape future Think & Thrive programming and learn more about Senior College opportunities being explored with Alexandria Community Education. Join us for a Think & Thrive and Senior College Planning Session on Wednesday, October 14, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Main Building (Rooms 209 and 211) to share ideas, suggest topics and speakers, and discuss future lifelong learning opportunities in our community.

Funding for Alexandria Technical & Community College's Fall 2026 Think and Thrive Program was provided by the West Central Initiative’s Civic Engagement Grant.”

Think & Thrive (formerly Senior College)

Designed to encourage community members to participate in academic learning opportunities beyond a single field of study, ATCC established the Senior College series in 2006 in response to community interest in informative and challenging college learning without the pressures of tests, grades or degrees. Open to all ages, the Distinguished Lecture Series brings noted speakers and college faculty from across the state and beyond to share their expertise on a range of topics of thought.

Schedule subject to change.

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