Distinguishing Our Institution with Community Engagement: Why? How?

1. Distinguishing Our Institution with Community Engagement: Why? How? Amy Driscoll, Consulting Scholar Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching February 8, 2008

2. Intentions for Our Gathering: • Imagine Community engagement possibilities • Identify specific “places” for locating and enhancing community engagement • Begin internal collaboration before reaching out to external collaborators • Plan implementation strategies

3. Agenda • Big Picture of Community Engagement • Forms of Community Engagement • Challenges of Community Engagement • Is Community Engagement a “fit” for Cal State L A? • Characteristics of an Engaged Institution • Processes for Distinguishing Cal State L A

4. What is community engagement? Community engagement describes the collaboration between higher education institutions and their larger communities (local, regional, state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnerships and reciprocity. (Carnegie, 2006)

5. Community Engagement may achieve the following: • Enhanced teaching and learning of relevant curriculum • Expanded research and scholarship • Preparation of engaged citizens • Response to societal issues • Contributions to the public good • Strengthened civic responsibility

6. Service learning Community-based Learning Community-based Research Internships Student/staff/ Faculty volunteerism Partnerships Shared resources (library, museum, technology, etc.) Extended Educ. Professional Development Centers Local hiring Current Forms of Community Engagement

7. Student learning Student development Student leadership Critical thinking Student well-being Retention Extended classroom Shared resources Enhanced public visibility Identity Collaborative research Funding sources Alumnae pride What are the benefits?

8. Research Support for Community Engagement Participation in SL is associated with gains in critical thinking, leadership skills, personal efficacy, and improved ability to apply/use disciplinary principles” (Pascarella & Terinzini, 2005)

9. Research Support • Community-based research combines “active learning and “problem solving pedagogy” with “experiential and intellectual learning strategies” (Strand et al, 2003).

10. Research Support • Placing students into the community fosters civic awareness, appreciation for public service and community involvement, and shapes an awareness of public affairs that can contribute to higher levels of political participation and citizenship” (Astin, 1997; Colby et al, 2003)

11. Challenges of Community Engagement • Time Demands on Faculty, Administration • Cultural Contrasts • Need for Preparation of Students, Faculty • Loss of Academic Content • Competes with Scholarship

12. Possibilities for CSULA • Mission of institution • Leadership of institution • 2007 Draft Strategic Plan • Existing CE activities • Institutional and system-wide support • Location

13. Cal State L A’s Mission • “…educational programs that include strong emphasis on…and community service”. • “…providing students a balanced and well-rounded educational experience, including co-curricular activities that contribute to personal enrichment, leadership development, and institutional pride.”

14. Mission continued • “The close proximity of the University to civic, cultural, and economic centers enables it to foster strong cooperative relationships with alumni, business, scientific, educational, cultural, and governmental constituencies.”

15. Cal State L A’s Strategic Plan (draft 2007) • Goal: Strengthen and develop excellent programs for the local, regional, and global communities. • Obj. 1.1 Develop curricular innovations capitalizing on Cal State L A’s distinctive location, facilities, and infrastructure, students, faculty, and staff.

16. Strategic Plan continued • Goal: Establish Cal State L A as a nationally recognized model for supporting the transformation of non-traditional students into well-educated highly competitive graduates. • Obj. 3.1 Improve the college readiness of K-14 students in our primary service area.

17. Exploring the Possibilities • Determine institutional uniqueness • Locate curricular connections • Build on existing infrastructure • Promote faculty leadership • Enlist budgetary support • Identify internal/external resources • Involve community in planning • Remember affirmations/celebrations

18. How Institutions Distinguish Themselves with CE • “branding focus” MSU’s scholarship of engagement • “branding approach” Occidental’s community organizing strategies • Curricular integration throughout baccalaureate Portland State Univ. • Civic engagement IUPUI

19. What is an Engaged Institution? • Foundational Indicators Institutional Identity & Culture Institutional Commitment • Categories of Engagement Curricular Engagement Outreach and Partnerships Carnegie, 2006

20. Institutional Identity & Culture • Mission, vision, values • Executive leadership • Marketing materials • Assessment of community perceptions • Celebrations, recognitions, events

21. Institutional Commitment • Strategic plan • Budgetary allocations • Faculty development • Infrastructure • Systematic assessment/recording • Community involvement • Search and hiring practices • Promotion and tenure support

22. Categories of Community Engagement • Curricular Engagement • Outreach and Partnerships

23. First Steps: Moving to Discussion to Decision Making • Read, Study, Listen • Use internal inventory • Scan your culture-connect with campus offices • Reading/discussion groups • Connect with other institutions • Attend workshops, conferences Talk with community partners, students MAKE IT YOUR OWN!