Participants will develop an understanding of the roles of community partners in community-engaged courses, including their capacity to act as co-educators of students. Together, the group will explore the meaning of the term, “community,” and interrogate assumptions about how it is defined, who is included/excluded, and the university’s legacy and relationship with community. Faculty will access practical tools and strategies for researching and contacting organizations to explore partnerships, and discuss practices for addressing power dynamics, diverse expectations, and fluctuating capacities in sustaining partnerships. Attention will be given to how to foster student relationships of accountability and respect with community partners, and how to negotiate meaningful community-rooted activities that are also aligned with community priorities and needs.

Outcomes/Takeaways:

• Define and apply concepts of “partnership” and “reciprocity” in the context of your course
• Identify practical strategies for cultivating and maintaining partnerships that ensure mutual benefits for students and community partners
• Critically explore the tension between student and community expectations and outcomes, and make a plan for mitigating potential issues