Institutionalizing Civic Engagement at Portland State University:“Agents and Architects of a Flourishing Democracy”

> Session Goals

Explore the context and history of PSU’s transformation

Consider values that undergird our work Investigate what happened from diverse

perspectives Discuss specific strategies and principles

for on-going institutional transformation Consider the future of this work in a

globalized society

> Caveats

What we’ve learned not what we have done Can’t tell you everything we’ve done It was messy and complex

Surges of pride and positive realization of intent

Significant differences

Continuing debate

It’s works - but how well ? Civic engagement evolved organically

> Service Learning (CBL) Service-Learning is a deliberate, mutually beneficial,

connection between academic learning and community needs

Service-Learning is one strategy commonly employed as part of a Civically Engaged Institution

> Civic Engagement

Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference.

~Thomas Ehrlich, et. al., Civic Responsibility and Higher Education (2000)

> Values

“I started to recognize these differences in the way I was thinking and the ways I was looking at people on the street…the way I would look at a homeless person, no longer look at him and be angry, [instead] I’d think further…what’s it like to walk in his shoes.”

~ PSU Student

> PSU Context Urban Institution 25,000 students - 2/3 Undergraduate Diverse Student Body - Age, gender, experience Nationally recognized general education program Community based learning courses enroll 2000+/year Grants and Awards U.S. News and World Report’s ranking : service

learning, learning communities and senior capstone New P+T Guidelines acknowledge civic engagement

> PSU’s Transformation Integrated 4 Year general education program

Thematic Interdisciplinary Required senior community based capstone

With Learn and Serve Grant initiated community based learning approach across the curriculum

Established faculty development center

> Components of Guiding Thoughts

Factors that precipitated PSU’s approach to civic engagement:

Preserve University Identity Strengthen Undergraduate Education Explore Interdisciplinarity Explore Application of the Disciplines Treat Change as Scholarly Activity Get Resources

> Emergent Principles Driving Change and Institutionalization

Mission-based Inquiry-driven Faculty-initiated Student-focused Curriculum-related Community situated

> Key Considerations

Beyond unique PSU circumstances. Rewards Policy Financial Support Involvement Structures

> Lessons Learned

Lead with curriculum Use underlying tensions Pervasiveness is all Use natural academic groupings Recognize and use what exists Expect “fall out” and for things to “fall out” Capitalize on social context

> PSU Student Context Over 7800 students involved annually 79% of CBL students see connection between

academic content to real life situations 76% of CBL students say that community work

in their class benefited the community 68% of CBL students plan to continue to

volunteer in the community - compared to 39% who volunteered before the course

Annual recognition - Student Leadership for Service

> CBL: Student Perspective

Learning is more fulfilling, more complete, more relevant

Students value CBL when they recognize that others appreciate and benefit

Transforms volunteerism from altruism to learning partnership

Integrated through Institution, Program, and Departmental faculty networks.

> Lessons Learned

Civic engagement is developmental Provides students multiple and

sustained opportunities to engage with community to examine their values

Each student integrates their personal perspective with civic engagement

> PSU Faculty Context Over 400 faculty involved annually 93% of CBL faculty report they feel

responsible for the community 85% of CBL faculty report that teaching

deepened understanding of community needs 71% of CBL faculty report that community

work helped focus their scholarship Annual civic awards recognize and reward

excellence in faculty/university partnership

> Civic Engagement: Faculty Perspective Individual development mirrors institution Linking teaching and research From personal learning to engaging others Taking on administrative responsibilities Seeking transferable models Tenure and Promotion at Engaged Institution Departmental Engagement

> Lessons Learned

Faculty are attracted by their values Civic engagement is developmental for

faculty - provide developmental support Provide faculty multiple ways to engage Model successes Integrate teaching and research Critical to recognize civic engagement in

Tenure and Promotion

> Values

“(community based learning) really made me feel as if I was important in the world, and in the scheme of things, and that I had a place. I know I wouldn’t have done it without this program.”

~ PSU Student

> Expanded Understanding: Beyond CBL

Other pedagogies, mechanisms, strategies:• ---------------------• ---------------------• ---------------------

Community-Based Research

Associated civic skillsto be developed• ---------------------• ---------------------• ---------------------

Service-Learning (curricular and co-curricular)

> Civic Engagement

Economic DevelopmentLifelong LearningExtended Programs

Faculty Outreach

Internships/Coop

Curricular Service-Learning

Cultural Programs

Other

Co-Curricular Service-Learning

Community-Based Research

Engagement

Institutional Engagement

Departmental Engagement Faculty/Staff

Engagement

Student Engagement

> Integrated Approach

> Size & Scope of Community Engagement

Annually, 7800 students formally participate in CBL courses (2003-04) Over 400 faculty involved Over 600 community partners

See:http://portfolio.pdx.edu/Portfolio/Institutional_Effectiveness/Performance_Indicators/Campus_Specific_Indicators/view?p=Campus_Spec_CBL_Enrollment

> PSU Development Model

Community Service

Service-Learning

CivicEngagement

Individual Faculty

Engagement

DepartmentalLevel

Engagement

Institutional Level

Engagement

Scholarship of Engagement

Community-Based

Research

Community-Based

Learning

Faculty Development Approaches

> PSU’s Multi-level Approach

Micro – Focus on Individual ex: one-on-one consultations, syllabus

conversion, partnership development Meso – Focus on Cohorts

ex: engaged departments, faculty seminars Macro – Focus on the Institution

ex: civic engagement breakfast series, annual awards, student leaders for service

> An Expanding Integrated Approach

International Civic Engagement Development

Statewide Civic Engagement Development

Institutional Civic Engagement Development

Statewide Oregon Civic Solutions, $1.2 million grant from

CNCS: Help institutionalize civic engagement in higher

education in Oregon Help address three of Oregon’s most pressing

social issues: 1) reduce hunger, 2) enhance K-12 education and 3) bridge the urban-rural divide.

> An Expanding Integrated Approach

Today’s work for tomorrow: Civic Leadership Minor

Interdisciplinary, developmental, 3 Colleges / 11 departments formally involved, community-based, portfolio assessment

Global CBL: Building Civil Society Internationalizing the curriculum at home Partnering with institutions abroad Global Partnerships Map (web-based GIS)

> An Expanding Integrated Approach

“Community-based learning and research strategies connect Portland State University to Portland, and to communities world-wide. Portland State University… continues to creatively experiment and guide scores of institutions across the world in this transformative work.”

~PSU President, Dan Bernstine

> Values

“…No nobler task than committing ourselves to helping catalyze and lead a national movement to reinvigorate the public purposes and civic mission of higher education…now and through the next century, our institutions must be vital agents and architects of a flourishing democracy.”

~ (Campus Compact)Presidents’ Fourth of July Declaration on the Civic Responsibility of Higher Education

> Values

“I’m very proud of the fact that this University has made social action a priority.”

~ PSU Student

> Values

Unique conditions provide opportunities Think big and be prepared for “fall out” Scholarship is critical Lead with curriculum in an integrated model Work with existing systems Be attentive to developmental nature at every level

simultaneously and keep raising the bar Allow individuals to challenge their values Recognize (and spread) successes Above all, be reflective

> Institutionalization: Summary Highlights

> Key Publications and PowerPoint

15 key publications on the transformation and institutionalization process of civic engagement at Portland State University

Portland State University Center for Academic Excellencewww.cae.pdx.edu

> Contact information

Susan Agre-KippenhanAgrekis@pdx.edu503-725-8506

Kevin KecskesKecskesk@pdx.edu503-725-5642

Sherwin DavidsonDavidsons@pdx.edu503-725-4854

Sarah Stacy IannaroneSari@pdx.edu

www.cae.pdx.edu