OERD’s Director of Community-engaged Partnerships Jennifer Groce is collaborating with the Division of Academic Affairs to help NIU faculty build mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations, enriching student learning while helping the community.
The mission of Northern Illinois University is to empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning as we pursue knowledge, share our research and artistry, and engage communities for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world. That’s why community engagement and service learning have long been central to many NIU courses.
Students in the Philosophy of Food course pack meals for Feed My Starving Children.
Students in the Philosophy of Food course work in the community gardens, pack food for Feed My Starving Children and reflect on their experiences in connection with course materials. In the Nonprofit and NGO Studies Grant Proposal Seminar, groups of students partner with community nonprofits to write and submit real-world grant applications. Local businesses collaborate with students in the Business Consulting Project course to develop innovative solutions to real business challenges.
The list goes on, including courses in every college, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In each of these courses, students deepen their knowledge by pairing classroom learning with real-world applications and reflection. Thoughtfully planned community-engaged courses also provide benefits to local communities, businesses and nonprofits, creating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
While community-engaged courses are not new at NIU, a new Community-engaged Course designation will help to institutionalize best practices for community-engaged courses and make these courses easier for students to find.
“By formalizing community-engaged courses through this new designation, we’re building best practices into the process, including reciprocity, reflection, assessment and accountability to our community partners,” says Alicia Schatteman, NIU vice provost for Academic Affairs. “We’re also able to provide support for faculty, ranging from learning rubrics to assistance finding and communicating with community partners.”
“Many students come to NIU seeking opportunities to shape their careers while making a positive impact in the community,” says Jennifer Groce, director of community-engaged partnerships in the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development. “By helping faculty create and maintain effective community partnerships, we’re also helping students develop the transferable skills they need for meaningful careers.”
