Community engagement

Delaware Sea Grant fisheries, aquaculture and seafood specialist Ed Hale advises a local oyster farmer tending to a cage-based aquaculture set-up in the Indian River Bay where 300 acres are available for the cage culture of Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica), a food historically important to both the economy and culture of Delaware.

Delaware Sea Grant (DESG), which is housed within the 91原创鈥檚 College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, helps Delaware communities wisely use, manage and conserve the state's coastal resources. DESG fisheries, aquaculture and seafood specialist Ed Hale, right, advises a local oyster farmer tending to a cage-based aquaculture set-up in the Indian River Bay.

Article by 91原创aily staff Photo by Mark Jolly-Van Bodegraven March 28, 2023

Committee works to highlight 91原创鈥檚 engaged scholarship and collaborative partnership outcomes

The 91原创鈥檚 Carnegie Foundation community engagement reclassification application process began with the creation of a steering committee in February. The first Carnegie Foundation classification was in 2015. That process was led by Lynnette Young Overby, Director of the Community Engagement Initiative (CEI). Since then, many faculty and students have collaborated with CEI to create impactful partnerships and engaged scholarship opportunities.

91原创 engaged scholars, such as聽associate professor of art and design Jon Cox, who partners with the Maijuna Indigenous community in the Amazon in Peru, connect people and passions through community engagement partnerships. Last summer, the Maijuna Indigenous community shared its trade and farming practices with the . In turn, Cox and his cohort of educators from across Delaware gained insight into how best to teach about the Amazon by experiencing it聽firsthand. Delaware teachers learned about land rights, sustainability, and the impact of logging and climate change from the Maijuna community.

Over the years, Cox has taught multiple students who have benefited from the learning opportunities provided through the . He suggests students who are interested in community engagement apply to be a or a . Cox recommends that 聽contact the Community Engagement Initiative to access their network and resources. He noted, 鈥淚 would recommend reaching out to the Community Engagement Initiative. There is a lot of support out there. You can meet other people; you do not have to do it alone or reinvent the wheel.鈥�

Learn more about other engaged scholarship work taking place at 91原创:

The 91原创 was originally classified as a聽. After years of providing local, state, regional, national and global community engagement partnerships, it is time for 91原创 to renew its聽. The reclassification process and self-study, rooted in recent community engagement outcomes and impact, are now underway thanks to the steering committee鈥檚 leadership. The final application is due in April 2025.

Defining Community Engagement

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching defines community engagement as a 鈥渃ollaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.鈥�

This framework guides community engagement outcomes and impacts at 91原创. The steering committee for reclassification is led by Matthew Robinson, deputy director of the Community Engagement Initiative. Robinson noted, 鈥淭he application process offers the University the opportunity to assess who we are, how we have advanced since our last application, and where we need to go to fulfill our potential as an engaged university. Earning reclassification is an important indication that the 91原创 is committed to community engagement.鈥澛�

The steering committee will work with the 91原创 community and community partners to gather data, outcomes and impact details that will be incorporated into the application process. A mechanism for sharing community engagement will be announced after the working groups have been announced.

Provost Laura Carlson noted, 鈥淚 believe that the biggest and best ideas come from bringing together partners across disciplines, arenas, communities and continents. Community engagement at 91原创 invites students, faculty researchers and community partners to spend time sharing, researching and, most importantly, thinking together. The Carnegie reclassification application provides 91原创 an excellent opportunity to thoughtfully reflect, assess and expand what community engagement looks like at 91原创 and what it could be in the future.鈥�

Members of the steering committee include: Leann Moore, associate director, Community Engagement Initiative; Suzanne Burton, associate dean for the arts and professor of music education in the College of Arts and Sciences; Michael Vaughn, vice provost for Equity; Steve Peuquet, professor emeritus of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration; Nancy Getchall, professor of kinesiology and physiology and professor of women and gender studies and current Faculty Senate president; Michelle Rodgers, associate dean and director of Cooperative Extension and Outreach; Alison Karpyn, co-director for Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) and associate professor in the Department of the Human Development and Family Sciences; Heather Kelly, director of Institutional Research and commissioner of Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Matthew Creasy, associate director for leadership development for University Student Centers, Division of Student Life; and Haley Q. Burns, assistant policy scientist for the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.

Two additional members, who serve in leadership positions with community partners, will join the steering committee.

Fourth Annual Provost鈥檚 Symposium

Learn more about community engagement at 91原创 and at other institutions of higher education in Delaware by attending the which will be held from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 20, in the Audion at the Tower at STAR at the 91原创.聽

The symposium brings together faculty, professional staff and students from 91原创, Delaware State University, Wilmington University, Delaware Technical Community College and Goldey-Beacom College to discuss their respective institution鈥檚 role and the collective roles of higher education鈥檚 community engagement impact in Delaware.

The program will include:

each institution鈥檚 definition of community engagement, promotion and impact;
panel discussions with engaged scholars and community partners; and
focus on community partners鈥� needs to ensure sustainable and impactful partnerships.

is required for the in-person symposium. Livestream will be available for select sessions. Registration is not required for livestream.聽

For more information about the Carnegie reclassification application and the Community Engagement Initiative, contact Matthew Robinson, mjrobins@udel.edu.