Reframing Community Engagement in Higher Education

This book explores a new ecological framework for reflecting on and improving community engagement practice, promoting academic development and life skills through service-learning. It offers models, advice on coalition building, and narratives of professionals and faculty, highlighting tensions and best practices in local contexts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This timely book delves into the assumptions and challenges inherent in community engagement as a catalyst for fostering students' sense of civic responsibility in a period of widespread social polarization. Through the powerful practice of service-learning, the book explores a novel ecological framework for reflecting on and enhancing practice, promoting academic development and life skills. It presents innovative models like the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, offers valuable advice on coalition building, and showcases the narratives of community-engaged professionals and faculty, offering a nuanced understanding of the tensions inherent in this work while providing inspiring examples of initiatives in local contexts. The chapters primarily focus on identifying the actions necessary to fulfill our public purpose and the barriers that hinder us from achieving it.

This book serves as a valuable guide, offering practical examples and benchmarks for best practices in community engagement, particularly relevant to the current crises and unrest. It is designed for community-engaged professionals, higher education faculty, and college administrators who are committed to advancing social change and building stronger communities. By embracing the principles and strategies outlined in this book, these stakeholders can contribute to the development of more inclusive, equitable, and resilient societies.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032581705