Professional Development Opportunities

On 23 February from 12-1:30, Dr. Lalenja Harrington will join workshop participants in an exploration of the techniques she uses in her classes to build deeply-connected, playful, and human-centered learning spaces with and for her students. She will introduce techniques and concepts participants can model in their own work, whether seeking deeper connection with others, or hoping to help students connect with each other and engage more fully with challenging material, regardless of modality. 

Dr. Harrington is a recognized community-engaged scholar, Partnerships and Pathways Grant fellow, and longtime practitioner of Legislative and Playback Theatre methods in the classroom.  

Participants are encouraged to join this online-only offering to build their toolboxes for classroom and community connection, and is open to faculty, staff, graduate students (particularly those who are in teaching roles) and community partners. Registration is required, but there is no cost to attend. 

When: 

23 February 2026, 12:00-1:30, Teams 

The University Teaching and Learning Commons, the Institute for Community and Economic Engagement, and the University Community Engagement Council are pleased to collaborate and sponsor the Spring 2026 Community Engagement Book Club.

We’re excited to read together Rachael Shah’s Rewriting Partnerships: Community Perspectives on Community-Based Learning

Meetings will be 2:30 to 4:00ish: 

• March 5
• March 26
• April 23

Location TBD. Coffee and light snacks will be provided. Please register so we can maintain an accurate headcount! Those who register by 13 February will be entered in a drawing to receive a copy of Shah’s work.

Applications Due 27 February

Read on and apply today!

Plan to join us in May 2026 for a funded, two-day, interactive course development and enhancement opportunity for full-time faculty at any experience level – from the newly curious to the lifelong practitioner – who want to integrate community connections and engagement into an undergraduate or graduate-level course. Grow your understanding of community-engaged (CE) course learning outcomes, community partnerships, critical elements of CE, assessment, and other components of sound community-engaged instruction based on participants’ interests and questions. Participants will leave the workshop with a framework they develop for a new or re-imagined community-engaged course. Opportunity for individual work time and consultation with CE scholars and faculty across disciplines will support a productive, cooperative working environment.

During our time together we will attend to, model, and provide instruction on key principles and practices, including individual and collective care, relationship building and healing, collaborative practices, drawing on art-based activities, and listening. Our hope is to (re)ignite commitment to forms of teaching and learning that value community-university mutual benefit, reciprocity, joyful engagement, shared responsibility, and deep connections to people and place.

Instructors will receive a $1,500 stipend upon successful completion of the 2-day workshop, and submission of a new or revised course that meets the standards for CE/SVL designation.

Outcomes:

• Establish new and renewed connections with fellow community-engaged instructors
• Become aware of resources and networks to support all levels of community engagement for any course
• Identify ways to integrate faculty roles of teaching, research/creative activity, and public/professional/community service, as applicable
• Strengthen competencies and confidence in developing and teaching community-engaged courses, from design to implementation and evaluation
• Develop a cadre of UNCG faculty who can support community-engaged teaching through their examples and mutual aid with others

Deliverables:

• Fully participate in in-person, two-day May workshop
• Submit, and have approved, a new or updated syllabus that clearly reflects changes related to community engagement, per the course designation rubric administered by members of the CE Council
• Participate in pre- and post-assessment of the workshop (questionnaire)

Eligibility

1. Full-time faculty at UNCG (academic professional track or tenure-track)
2. Department chair approval to offer the (re)designed course (undergraduate or graduate) no later than Fall 2027
   

Do you have questions? Email cecouncil@uncg.edu for answers.

If this sounds like a good fit for you and your work, we’re looking forward to your application!

This opportunity is made possible by the Community Engagement Council, and through partnership among the Division of Student Success, the Institute for Community and Economic Engagement, and the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement.