Giovanna Summerfield, Ph.D., Auburn’s associate dean of educational

affairs, has been working with

Imagining America to bring her passion to our campus by

starting an Imagining America chapter at Auburn

University. Being raised and educated in Italy puts Summerfield

in a unique position to bring Imagining America to Auburn.

Summerfield hopes Imagining America will help students, especially graduate students, become invested in civic

engagement and di-versity.

Dr. Giovanna Summerfield

Dr. Brigitta Brunner

Brigitta R. Brunner, Ph.D., is the director of the public relations

program at Auburn University and is an associate professor

in the Department of Communication and

Journalism.

She has been work-ing on a research

project with mem-bers of Imagining

America. Brunner’s research has a focus in civic engagement, as well as other fields. The goal of her research is to add to literature while spreading the

idea of civic engagement.

"To realize the democratic, public and civic purposes of American higher

education."-Imagining America's Vision

Auburn University Chapter

For More Information

Contact:

Dr. Giovanna Summerfield, Associate Dean for Educational Affairs

summegi@auburn.eduSummerfield’s office is located at 315A

Tichenor Hall(334) 844-2890

Imagining America...

Frequently AskedQuestions

●Was formally launched at a 1999 White House Conference initiated by the White House Millennium Council, the University of Michigan and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.

●Is currently comprised of 90 college and university members and a myriad of community partners.

●Emphasizes the possibilities of humanities, arts and design in knowledge-generating initiatives.

●has action-research which adds to campuscommunity partnerships in local and national civic life, while furthering the recognition of publicscholarship’s value in higher education itself.

●Has partnerships with many organizations includ-ing Campus Compact, the New York Council for the Humanities, the Center for Institutional & Social Change and the Nathan Cumming Foundation.

●Has the following values: ◦Reciprocity and mutual benefit in campus- community partnerships, scholarship and teaching. ◦Participation, transparency, dialogue and pluralism. ◦Innovation and integration of knowledge to improve our communities. ◦Cultural diversity and social equity.

Are there opportunities for graduate students?

Yes, Imagining America has a graduate program, Publicly Active Graduate Education, for graduate students in which they can attend National Imagining America Conferences and have opportunities for mentorship and collaboration with peers and scholars.

Where will the Imagining America Convention be held in 2012?

The 2012 annual convention will take place in New York City. “Annual national conferences are sites of collaboration, active dialogue, and problem solving around national issues. Each conference reflects the national agenda that Imagining America’s board and membership have defined in any given year” (website).

What is being done at Auburn University

to enhance this program?Dr. Brigitta Brunner, associate professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism, was chosen to be a member of a research project for Imagining America based on civic professionalism and engagement.

Imagining America In Action

Publicly Active Graduate Education Program

Art, Culture and Community Development Collaboratory Research in New Orleans

Publicly Engaged Scholars Series Illuminates Graduate School Experiences