By Kendall Hampton, OERD Graduate Research Assistant
At NIU, community engagement isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental ethos baked into nearly every aspect of academic life. Central to this commitment is the concept of community-engaged coursework, a dynamic approach to learning that transcends the traditional college course paradigm. But what exactly does it entail, and what benefits does it offer to all involved? Let’s explore.
Exploring Community-Engaged Coursework
Community-engaged coursework at NIU diverges from the conventional, linear college course that ends with a final exam or paper. It involves collaborative partnerships between students, faculty, and community organizations to address real-world challenges and create positive social change. “The word I often use is ‘messy,’” shared Alicia Schatteman, Ph.D, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and associate professor. ”Students have to be willing to live with a certain degree of uncertainty and complexity.” While some might find this departure daunting, the benefits of community-engaged coursework more than makes up for the messiness.
The Upside of Engagement
Artist Lorimar Matos speaks to students and leads an art-based activity at the Latino Resource Center.
The benefits of community-engaged coursework reach far beyond the classroom. For students, these courses provide applied, hands-on learning experiences that foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of societal issues. By working directly with community partners, students gain practical skills and develop a sense of civic responsibility that prepares them for their careers.
Faculty members also gain from community-engaged coursework, generating opportunities for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration, research, and professional development. “I enjoy doing this work because of all that I learned, but also the ways that I’ve been able to grow as a scholar through these collaborative efforts,” said Laura Johnson, Ph.D., of her experiences with community-engaged research in Humboldt Park. These courses allow faculty to showcase their expertise and contribute to the university’s mission of empowering students through educational excellence and experiential learning.
What would community engagement be without the community? Through partnerships with NIU, local businesses and nonprofits gain access to valuable resources, expertise, and innovative solutions to demanding issues. Engaged coursework helps build stronger connections between the community and the university, fostering a sense of mutual trust and collaboration. “We’re contributing to workforce development,” Schatteman added. “Most organizations recognize that there’s a value in teaching the next generation because they want to recruit them.”
Fostering Future Engagement
Looking ahead, the future of engaged coursework at NIU is bright and promising. As the university continues to prioritize community engagement and social responsibility, we can expect to see an expansion of these initiatives across disciplines. A community-engaged course designation hitting undergraduate course catalogues in the spring of 2025 will highlight courses with community engagement components. This designation is a clear way for students to find classes that provide the real-world experience many are searching for.
A course designation at the section level allows for a level of innovation and experimentation that Schatteman hopes excites and inspires faculty members to integrate more interdisciplinary partnerships and community engagement into their courses. For more information about the community engaged course designation, read this NIU Today story about community engaged courses.
With each messy challenge comes an opportunity for connection, growth, and learning. From real-world applications of coursework to developing the next generation of workforce leaders, the benefits of community-engaged coursework are as diverse as the communities it serves.
