Faculty Engagement
Community engagement during COVID-19
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still possible to have a successful semester with your community partner. By moving away from transactional thinking regarding these projects, and moving towards more of a relationship, you and your partners can create a mutually-beneficial plan.
The VT Engage team is here to assist you as you navigate community work during the pandemic. Please contact Catherine Cotrupi at cotrupi@vt.edu or 540-231-9186.
Additionally, visit the following sites and resources as you consider your next steps
Reflection prompts
The following topics from the Center for Civic Reflection may be relevant prompts for reflection:
- Courage in Everyday Life
- What are our responsibilities as citizens? Who or what are we responsible for?
- How should we respond to crisis?
- Is crisis a destructive force or an opportunity for renewal?
Community partner needs
The United Way of the New River Valley has compiling a list of community-identified needs on their COVID-19 response webpage.
Questions or concerns?
Please contact Catherine Cotrupi, assistant director for campus and community engagement at cotrupi@vt.edu or 540-231-9186. She can assist in thinking through options for you, your students, and your partners.
Connecting your course to community
The VT Engage team is available to provide assistance to instructors who teach courses with a community learning component in a variety of ways:
- Consulting with faculty on course design and syllabus development,
- Facilitating faculty and student connections with community partners, and
- Developing orientation, reflection, and assessment strategies that enhance the impact of community engaged learning on the student experience.
For more information, or to arrange a consultation, contact Catherine Cotrupi at 540-231-9186 or cotrupi@vt.edu.
National programs
The national programs listed below maintain links to assist faculty in course planning, syllabus development, student reflection strategies, and assessment approaches.