Partnering Academics and Community Engagement (PACE)

1. Partnering Academics and Community Engagement (PACE) Open Meetings Spring 2014

2. WHAT is a QEP ? • A Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a statement of what we will be doing over the next five years to improve some aspect of student learning • Aligned with institutional objectives, planning, and priorities • Required for our reaffirmation of SACS Accreditation

3. FOCUS

4. Our QEP’s Focus • Partnering Academics and Community Engagement (PACE) • Focus is on student engagement through community projects that enhance learning • Related to service learning • Projects will be level-appropriateand aligned specifically with course/curricular outcomes • Across the disciplines • Core through upper division

5. “What’s in it for students?” • Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities • Enhanced self efficacy, appreciation of diversity • Applications of higher-order thinking tasks • Increases in civic engagementand a sense of citizenship • Enhanced social responsibility • Concrete experience with disciplinary subject matter

6. “What’s in it for faculty?” • Support for community engagement within courses • Training opportunities • Community Engagement Academy • Funding Opportunities • Professional Development Opportunities • Scholarship • Conference • Travel funds

7. Action Plan for PACE Our Action Plan for PACEstems from community engagement literature (Bringle & Hatcher, 1996): • Planning activities • Awareness activities • Prototype activities • Resource activities • Expansion activities • Research and Recognition activities • Monitoring and Evaluation activities

8. “Responsible Parties”

9. Which classes (and when)? • 5-year implementation (Fall 2014-Spring 2019) • Fall 2014 • CSU 1022 sections • Spring 2015 • Sections of selected Core classes • Fall 2015 • Continue CSU 1022, Core, add Upper Division classes • Rest of 5-year rollout • Continue to expand and grow courses

10. But what else? • Student Mentor Teams/Team Leaders • Focused specifically on mentoring students in PACE courses • Community Engagement Conference • Midway through the 5 year rollout, host a regional Community Engagement Conference at Clayton State • Highlight the work that has been done in academic community • Students, faculty, and community partners present • Continued training and professional development

11. But what else? • Merit Badges • To help students highlight and document course-related projects and experiences; merit badge can be received upon successful completion of a course project • Graduation recognition • 200 or more community service hours over their time at Clayton State, eligible for an additional honor at graduation • Hours can be earned in any verifiable fashion, including hours earned during community-engaged courses and those in the co-curricular transcript

12. Next Steps

13. “Permanent” QEP Committees • Implementation Committee • Data Committee • Advisory Board • Memberships on these bodies, with select exceptions, will rotate over the course of the five years of implementation in a staggered fashion to maintain institutional memory. • We need representation from students, staff, faculty, AND the community!

14. Questions?

15. THANK YOU!