University Initiates Support for Collaborations in Community-Engaged Learning

Through the Center for Community-Engaged Teaching and Research (CETR), the University is initiating a new grant program to support teams that propose creative ways to utilize the University’s new two-tiered model of community-engaged learning.

Teams of at least six members—four faculty working with an administrator, such as a department chair or associate dean, and at least one community adviser—are invited to apply by Monday, March 7, for a Community-Engaged Pathway Grant. Up to eight teams will be selected in the first year of funding.

The grants—up to $12,000 over four years—are intended to cultivate organizational and cultural practices that advance community-engaged scholarship, said Dr. Lina Dostilio, director of CETR.

“Community-engaged teaching and research is one very robust way that our Spiritan, Catholic mission comes to life,” Dostilio said. “By educating ourselves on the issues that face our communities and responding by leveraging the tools of our disciplines, we immediately live our commitment to walking with those on the margins of society. And by teaching our students how to use their disciplinary and professional preparation to work with others, we also live our mission in the long term: we prepare our students for lifetimes of being good neighbors and active citizens.”

The University’s approach to community-engaged teaching has developed over the last decade, attracting community-oriented faculty to Duquesne and leading to the institutionalization of community-engaged learning—but it has also presented some challenges along with the culture change.

“Faculty needed more resources such as extra funding and extra hands to share the work,” Dostilio said. “Students asked for a more direct connection between community-based experiences and their majors. Community partners wanted to provide input on curriculum planning, develop relationships with faculty and help to prepare students to work with various populations; not just host students for a short service experience. The Pathways Grant responds to these challenges and marks a significant investment in community-engaged learning.”

The program and process also will leverage community expertise and advice when curricular changes are made in the community-engaged learning arena.

Applications are online and questions can be submitted to Dostilio, who can be reached at 412.396.5893.