At the College of Idaho, we recognize that a part of a well-rounded liberal arts education is understanding and responding to the needs of our communities and making a difference in civic life. We strive to build mutually beneficial partnerships that create transformational learning opportunities and address important community needs collaboratively. Through the process, we seek to educate students who can integrate learning, personal growth, ethical values, and public action for the common good.
We support students, faculty, academic departments, staff, and community partners conducting community-engaged learning, research, and other experiential education opportunities that address community needs and improve civic life.
We hold events where campus and community voices come together to discuss, analyze, and deepen the practice of community partnership, deliberative democracy, and academic civic engagement.
Please visit the Community Engagement Canvas page for more information.
We offer 3 types of community engagement:
Co-Curricular
Students serving community agencies through student groups or personal motivation. These may be one-time projects, yearly projects, or long-term partnerships. Examples include MLK day of service, the Legacy Program, and working with the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce.
Community-Based Research
Community engagement focused on answering research questions and collecting data for community partners. These may be individual projects, course-based projects, or collaborative research with faculty. Examples include the Redlining Project, Farmway Research Initiative, and working with the Caldwell Health Coalition and Idaho State Historical Society.
Community-Engaged Learning
Community-engaged learning refers to courses (or course projects) in any discipline designed by faculty in collaboration with a community partner to address a community-identified problem, challenge, or need. Students in the course may perform research or another project appropriate to the discipline that will benefit both the students learning and the community partner.
Projects emanate from community needs and community knowledge. However, coursework such as readings, lectures, and discussions help frame and inform students' understandings of the root causes of such community needs. Thus, action in communities leads to reflection, but class work guides reflection, leading to analysis and strategies for change. To receive designation as a Community-Engaged Learning course faculty should submit this Microsoft form.
Learn about community-engaged learning
Community-engaged learning courses
Apply for community-engagement course enhancement awards