The School of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) recently concluded its involvement as one of four institutions nation-wide in a study that piloted an institutionalization rubric for community engaged scholarship within Schools and Colleges (unit-level). The study was a collaboration between researchers at the University of Massachusetts Boston (New England Resource Center for Higher Education) and Hunter College, and funded by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
An appointed HHS working committee completed an extensive organizational assessment rubric, which involved conversations and focus groups with department chairs and faculty members across HHS. The rubric facilitates the examination of structures, policies, and practices with the goal of advancing community engagement within the unit for the purposes of self-assessment and strategic planning. The process served the unit in taking a strategic review of the activities and structures connected to supporting community engagement within the School. Recommendations for future steps within HHS were presented to the Dean.
Dr. John Saltmarsh, University of Massachusetts-Boston (co-PI along with Dr. Mike Middleton, Dean of the School of Education at Hunter College), came to UNCG on April 25, 2017 to advance the study based on experiences and feedback of the rubric and process provided by the working committee. His discussions included the HHS community engagement working group, the deans of other units, Dean of School of Health and Human Sciences (Celia Hooper), Director of the Institute for Community and Economic Engagement (Emily Janke), Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement (Terri Shelton), and the Provost (Dana Dunn).