University of Washington Engagement Efforts
compiled by Michaelann Jundt in January 2007
Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center
instigator, broker, and coach
The Carlson Center at the University of Washington is committed to engaging undergraduates in understanding, building and improving our communities. We work to expand the scope of education, promote effective public service, and foster a rich cultural and civic life for University of Washington students by creating opportunities for neighborhood and community involvement.
- Service learning courses, including support for faculty and students and connections to community partners
- Resources and support for volunteer and internship opportunities, including Students in Service (part-time AmeriCorps program) and an internship course (learning contract independent study)
- Service days, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
- Public service fellowships for undergraduate students
- Spring Celebration of Service and Leadership showcases students’ work with communities
Significant partnerships include:
- University District Service Providers Alliance
- United Way of King County
- University of Washington Pipeline Project
Carlson Center work that may be particularly pertinent for colleagues at research universities includes:
- In 2003, with the assistance of the UW Office of Educational Assessment, the Carlson Center conducted focus groups with service learning students and community partners. Our momentum for better assessment tools continues with work on learning goals and associated research questions for students around community engagement.
- The Carlson Center collaborates with existing faculty development programs and initiatives including the Center for Instructional Development and Research and the Teaching Academy to introduce and support service learning to faculty.
- Our work with service learning instructors includes working with graduate students teaching service learning courses.
- A long-standing partnership with the English department includes and the pedagogical and community support from Carlson Center staff and a faculty mentor.
- The Simpson Center for the Humanities at the UW coordinates the Institute on the Public Humanities for Doctoral Students. Carlson Center staff and affiliated faculty have been involved.
- Community-Campus Partnerships for Health is housed at the University of Washington, serving as a catalyst and resource for further development of community-based participatory research programs and movement forward on promotion and tenure processes for engaged scholars.
Center for Experiential Learning
potential integrator
The Center for Experiential Learning at the University of Washington connects undergraduates to community-based learning, research, and scholarships.
EXP is home to six programs: the Carlson Center, the Pipeline Project (K-12 tutoring and Alternative Spring Break), Jumpstart (preschool tutoring), the Undergraduate Research Program, the Undergraduate Scholarship Office, and the Mary Gates Endowment for Students (supporting students involvement in research and community leadership).
Office of UW-Community Partnerships
catalyst and convener
UW-Community Partnerships links Washington state communities with University of Washington faculty, staff, and students in order to accomplish work of mutual value.
Innovations include
- partnerships with rural communities
- technological advancements in delivering education and services
Individual Partnerships
faculty and departments at a public institution
Like any large, urban research university, particularly one with a medical school serving five states, there are hundreds of partnerships between UW faculty and programs and the communities outside our campus. These may be part of professional programs, including those in health sciences, public affairs, urban planning, education and social work. The duration, involvement, and funding of each depend upon individual circumstances and the mission of the project or department. Some examples include:
- The Community Health Advancement Program (CHAP) sponsors student-initiated and directed, extracurricular community direct service projects, educational programs and a seminar series addressing the health needs of underserved communities. Students design, plan, implement, staff and evaluate these programs, with assistance, guidance and support from staff and faculty in the Department of Family Medicine and from community organizations.
- The Public Service Clinics at the Evans School of Public Affairs are two quarter, six credit courses which connect graduate student research interests with applied research, organization change, and capacity building activities identified by non-profits, public agencies or students. By linking the degree project requirement with real needs of community agencies, the clinics provide substantial benefits to the broader community and to the graduate studies experience.
