Dear Colleagues:
I am pleased to invite instructors in your units to participate in the We CU Community Engaged Scholars program. We CU supports instructors in creating impactful learning experiences for their students that serve local community organizations. These service opportunities build reciprocal partnerships that fulfill the vision of the Campus-Community Compact to Accelerate Social Justice. In alignment with the Campus-Community Compact, We CU is committed to fostering vibrant community partnerships and expanding engagement opportunities for students.
We CU, in partnership with the School of Social Work’s Community Learning Lab, can connect instructors to more than 200 community partner organizations to create applied student learning experiences. Over 2,500 students have made a positive impact in our local community because of these connections. These students have deepened their understanding of our community, built new skill sets and networks, and enriched their university experiences.
We CU also supports instructors in the planning and implementation of service learning classes. We CU provides the following:
- Project matching to meet community partner needs
- Individual consultations on course design, student preparation, and assessment strategies
- Student trainings on professionalism, anti-racism, and critical reflection within service collaborations
- Mini-grants to help cover students’ costs such as transportation, supplies, and trainings
- Recognition for students who have demonstrated a commitment to service
We CU is supported by units across campus, including the Office of Public Engagement, the School of Social Work, the College of Education, the Humanities Research Institute, the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, and Siebel Center for Design.
All faculty and instructors are encouraged to get involved with We CU. Instructors can request support by emailing the We CU team at We-CU@illinois.edu.
Sincerely,
Wanda E. Ward
Executive Associate Chancellor for Public Engagement