Faculty Engagement Objectives

Our Faculty Engagement initiatives provides the infrastructure and resources to institutionalize and support Community Based Learning and Community Based Research by:

• identifying and maintaining relationships with community partners
• offering faculty resources for course planning, professional development, and connecting with community partners
• providing student-led projects with support and leadership development
• acting as communication nexus for community partners, faculty, staff and students engaged in community based learning

Community Based Learning (CBL) and Community Based Research (CBR) at NDNU are designed to enhance student learning through connecting academic learning and community engagement. It does so by creating partnerships in the community with organizations that help students achieve learning goals while simultaneously affecting positive change in that community. Our Faculty Engagement services provide professional development and mentorship to faculty and community members as they work together to develop CBL/CBR courses, with the goal of creating a community of social justice activists. For example:

Dorothy Stang Scholars Program - In 2007 the Dorothy Stang Faculty Scholars Program was established for faculty interested in teaching CBL/CBR courses. These educators, versed in the “best practices” of community based learning (CBL) and community based research (CBR), have participated in professional development activities designed to integrate these practices into their curricular outcomes. Currently, the Dorothy Stang Faculty Scholars represent NDNU's three schools, both undergraduate and graduate studies, and ten disciplines.

Environmental Justice Minor - a curriculum designed to provide leadership while increasing awareness, dialogue, and activism related to environmental justice and sustainability