Community-based Learning Resources for Faculty and Staff

Community-based Learning (CBL) is an intentional strategy that connects what students are learning in academic courses with community and civic engagement initiatives.

CBL is:

  • Based on reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships between instructors, students, and community
  • Rooted on the belief that community members have intrinsic educational assets and resources to share
  • Critical reflection

The goal of CBL is to address community-identified needs and together create positive social change. To help build a community-based learning campus, OCCE offers the following:

Learning Communities

The Office of Civic and Community Engagement, in collaboration with various partners, facilitates learning communities on different topics during the academic year, from early October to late April; and meets about twice a month. Open to all HMC faculty. 

Please see below for a short description of each learning community. Currently, the learning communities are offered in alternative academic years.

Community-engaged Learning Community

The purpose of this learning community is to discuss community engagement related theories, pedagogies and skills that collectively will provide “an introduction to community engagement, to designing, implementing, and assessing a course, to advancing the craft to prepare for promotion and tenure as well as how to become a citizen-scholar and reflective practitioner.” 

This learning community is meant for everyone, from those who are already experienced in community engagement to those who are curious in learning more about this high-impact educational practice. 

Faculty participants will discuss readings, keep a reflection journal, meet guest speakers, share ideas, and think collaboratively about implementing community engagement into the students’ experience at Harvey Mudd.

This is an academic year-long learning community that starts in early Fall and ends in early Spring. Meetings are usually every 2–3 weeks. Light refreshments or a full meal are provided at each meeting (depending on set meeting time).

Materials used to guide our learning, conversations and reflections are: 

  • The Craft of Community Engaged Teaching and Learning (2019) by Marshall Welch and Star Plaxton-Moore
  • A Toolkit for Crafting Community Engagement(: A Companion Guide for Professional Development

This learning community will be offered again in the academic year 2025-26.

Dialogues Across Differences Learning Community

In a world that is increasingly polarized, engaging constructively with those who hold different viewpoints or come from varied backgrounds is essential yet challenging. Faculty and staff are pivotal in fostering an inclusive learning environment and equipping our community to navigate complex conversations that span differences in lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and perspectives. Our classrooms and other spaces serve as vital environments for these important dialogues.

In collaboration with the Office of Institutional Diversity and the Office of Academic Affairs, this learning community is dedicated to advancing civil discourse. Our aim is to embed values such as intellectual curiosity, empathy, active listening, and critical thinking into our educational practices and learning environments.

The inaugural Dialogues Across Differences Learning Community will commence in late September 2024, with an ongoing community of practice and reflection throughout the academic year and culminating in early May 2025.

During AY2024-25, this learning community will focus on preparing for the 2024 election. We will work together to develop strategies for guiding and engaging with students, faculty, and staff in meaningful discussions across political and other forms of difference both in and outside the classroom setting.

Community Engagement Faculty Fellowship Fund

The Community Engagement Faculty Fellowship Fund is possible thanks to a generous donation to Harvey Mudd College to support faculty in the development of community engagement courses, projects, or co-curricular experiences. Each year, up to two faculty members may receive a stipend for curriculum or program development related to community engagement.  The selected faculty fellows will be expected to deliver the first offering of their proposed CE course or program by the following academic year.

For those interested in applying or interested in learning more, please complete the Community Engagement Faculty Fellowship Fund interest form.

Library

The Office of Civic and Community Engagement (OCCE) has a few resources (books, guides, resources cards, etc.) that you are welcome to check-out and use/read.

To see what resources are available, please use this link and or stop by OCCE. If you would like to borrow any of the resources listed, please complete this form and we will make sure to deliver that item(s) as soon as possible.
If you have recommendations for other resources to add to our library, please email us at communityengagement@hmc.edu

Institutional Memberships

Harvey Mudd College has institutional memberships and or has connections with a few national and local organizations that have a civic and or community engagement focus. We invite you to learn about these organizations and participate as a co-learner (attendee) and or co-educator (presenter).

Please use the links below to find resources on various topics; information on upcoming webinars, conferences and or other professional development opportunities; and to learn about and or join their respective initiatives: