Drawing from the scholarly literature on critical race theory, intercultural communication theory, and social-constructivism, this presentation will deconstruct normative views of “excellence” in academic-based community service and reconstruct a new pedagogical paradigm of critical service-learning. Specifically, the equity-centered principles of justice, solidarity, and advocacy will be operationalized as “a better way forward” and new conceptual model to guide faculty and higher education professionals in their creation of service-learning curriculum, activities, partnerships, collaborations, and scholarship. Utilizing thought questions, brief case studies, and high-impact exemplary practices, participants will divide into small discussion groups to share application of the model’s equity principles. Participants will leave the session with new equity-centered community engagement techniques that can be immediately adapted at their own organizations.

|Learning outcomes:

• Participate in reflective insight on current community engagement practices and identify where these out are not aligned with equity-centered values and principles.
• Obtain new knowledge of equity-centered community engagement and high-impact techniques that can be immediately adapted and applied to any organizations.
• Be the Change in Moving Forward Differently