Colby College | Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement

Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement

Colby students, faculty, and alumni have a long history of engagement in the local community, on the national stage, and throughout the world.

The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement serves to organize, focus, and leverage Colby's efforts to foster active citizenship at all levels and has launched important new initiatives for capitalizing on Colby's strengths in these areas.

Learn More about The Goldfarb Center »

The center brings more an array of important and influential speakers to campus each year to discuss and debate global events as they unfold. Goldfarb Center lectures often anchor a series of events, including panel discussions, workshops, and small group meals with the speaker, faculty, and students.

View all Programming »

Colby has been actively engaged in the Waterville community since its founding. The Colby Volunteer Center, Colby Cares About Kids program, student-faculty research and consulting, and community based learning courses are just a few of the ways through which the Goldfarb Center leads the College’s efforts to deepen and expand its involvement in Waterville and the region.

More about Civic Engagement »

The Oak Institute for the Study of International Human Rights was established in 1998 by a generous grant from the Oak Foundation. Each fall, the Institute hosts a front-line human rights activist to spend a semester of reflection and respite at the College as the Oak fellow. The Institute organizes lectures and other events centered on the fellow’s area of expertise.

More about the Oak Institute »

Each semester the Goldfarb Center welcomes requests for funding proposals from students and faculty across campus engaged in activities related to the Center’s mission. Grants are available for student internships, student or faculty research (both independent and collaborative projects), faculty sponsored conferences or visiting fellows, and civic engagement course development. Past projects can be viewed on Colby’s digital archive.

Learn more about Funding Opportunities »