Community-Engaged Teaching & Research
“Community engagement describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.“ - Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Community can be defined as a group of people sharing something in common, which can include a place (geography), an experience (a racial group or identity category), or an interest (violence prevention or documenting a history). Community is not necessarily limited by a specific geographic context (such as Walla Walla).
Teaching & Research Support
Kate Collins, Ph.D.
Community Engaged Learning Specialist (collinsk@whitman.edu)
Whitman’s Community Engaged Learning Specialist is available to consult with faculty on community-engaged teaching or research at any stage in a project. She also offers workshops on topics like developing community partnerships, preparing students to engage with community, and fostering student reflection on their learning.
Faculty can access curated resources related to Community-Engaged Teaching on the CTL Canvas site.
Community Engagement Grants
The Community Engaged Learning and Research Initiative committee (CELRI) administers grants for curricular or research activities that involve community engagement. Faculty can apply for three different types of grants.
Preplanning grants are for faculty initiating a new collaboration for community-engaged learning. These small grants do not come with stipends for community partners, but can provide dollars for supplies, space, food, travel, or other essentials necessary to explore the possibility of community-engaged learning efforts in future semesters.
In preplanning grants, the answers to the above questions may not be fully formed, though we encourage faculty to propose some possible answers to each in your application.
Duration: One semester. Extensions can be considered with advance notice.
Funding: Maximum $500. No stipends for faculty in the preplanning phase.
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications should be submitted at least 1 month prior to activities beginning)
Mini Grants are designed for faculty implementing new community-engaged learning modules (typically a unit between 2 and 4 weeks) of an existing course or community-engaged research inquiries. Mini-grant dollars can fund stipends for community partners, travel costs, supplies, food, and other necessary costs related to the community engagement activities.
For mini-grants, two of the three questions in the community-engagement framework above should be clearly answered and priority will be given to those who can address all three.
Duration: One semester.
Funding: Maximum funds $1,500.
Application Deadline: November 1 for Spring semester and May 1 for Fall semester
Full Grants are designed for faculty implementing a community-engaged learning course (minimum 2 credits). Full grant dollars can fund stipends for community partners, travel costs, supplies, food, and other necessary costs related to the community engagement activities over a longer period of time. Given that full classes require substantial preplanning and may have costs either before the start of or after the end of a class, full grant applications should be submitted well in advance of the beginning of the class.
Priority will be given to grants that address all three of the questions in the community-engagement framework above. Repeat funding requests will be considered as new applications each year with no guarantee of multi-year funding. For ongoing projects, CELRI will encourage participants to seek sustainable funding sources.
Duration: 6-8 months as needed. Extensions can be considered with advance notice.
Funding: Maximum funds $3,000. Up to $1,000 may be requested as a faculty stipend.
Application Deadline: November 1 for Spring semester and May 1 for Fall semester
How do I know if my idea would fit a CELRI grant?
The CELRI committee prioritizes funding for community-engaged learning and research, not just for activities that take place beyond the classroom (often called “place-based learning”).
Applicants should aspire to be able to say yes to at least two of the questions in the Community-Engagement Framework. Ideally, full grants should align with all three.
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Community-Engagement Framework |
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For Classes |
For Research |
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Does this work help the student meet a specific course learning goal? |
Does the project adhere to scholarly standards and contribute new knowledge or insights to the field? |
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Did a community partner help define the need or the project? |
Did the community participate in defining the research questions, research methods, or how findings are shared? |
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Does the partner receive a "deliverable" they actually want and can use? |
Beyond an academic publication, does the community gain a direct benefit from the research? |
Special Relationships
To avoid overwhelming community partners and ensure we’re building relationships that center their needs, collaborations with CTUIR and the Washington State Penitentiary are centrally coordinated.
- Before initiating collaborations with CTUIR, faculty should coordinate with Jeanine Gordon, Special Assistant to the President for Native American Outreach.
Other Funding Sources
Department and program budgets often have funding for guest speakers and field trip transportation. In some cases, departments or programs also have funds for compensating community partners. Faculty should utilize those available resources before applying for funding from CELRI.
For guest speakers in classes, faculty should first seek out departmental funding and can apply for Visiting Educator funding through the Provost’s office if departmental funds are not available.
How to Apply
All faculty, regardless of department or status, are encouraged to submit applications.
Applicants should submit the CELRI Grant Cover Sheet, with a project description and budget, to the CELRI Grant Submission Form. See also: CELRI Grant Cover Sheet.
Criteria for evaluation
The committee will consider:
- Alignment of anticipated community partnership with course or research project (see community-engagement framework above)
- Academic Advising
- Staff
- Offices and Programs
- Academic Affairs Staff Shared Values
- Accreditation
- Assessment of the Academic Program
- Calendar and Deadlines
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Center for Teaching and Learning
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Faculty Development and Support
- Faculty Employment Opportunities
- Faculty Fellows Program
- Faculty Governance
- Forms and Applications
- Initiatives and Planning
- Guest Lecturers
- Guidelines and Procedures
- Paul Garrett Fellowship
- Personnel Review
- Statement on Academic Freedom
- Academic Advising
- Staff
- Offices and Programs
- Academic Affairs Staff Shared Values
- Accreditation
- Assessment of the Academic Program
- Calendar and Deadlines
-
Center for Teaching and Learning
-
Faculty Development and Support
- Faculty Employment Opportunities
- Faculty Fellows Program
- Faculty Governance
- Forms and Applications
- Initiatives and Planning
- Guest Lecturers
- Guidelines and Procedures
- Paul Garrett Fellowship
- Personnel Review
- Statement on Academic Freedom