Engaging Faculty In Community Engagement

Abstract

Researchers endorse the integration of community engagement (CE) into higher education as a way to improve the relevance of education, address community needs, and forge university-community partnerships (Zlotkowski, 1996).  CE can help create stronger ties between universities and their communities and provide students with experiential learning and an opportunity to practice new skills.  Successful integration of CE in the curriculum can assist universities in achieving their mission.  The question is how to communicate these benefits to the faculty of a university and how the university can support CE in an organized way.  This paper reports on factors contributing to successful implementation of community engagement in higher education.  A case study of one university is presented and comparisons with universities, which have successfully implemented CE into their campus culture, are also made.  Key principles identified include mentoring, awareness-raising, and supportive university infrastructure.