Engaged Scholarship and Community-Based Learning: A Case Study With Big Brothers Big Sisters

• In Event: Fostering Community Connections Through Experiential Learning and Community Engagement Across Educational Spaces

Abstract

Community-engaged scholarship and teaching (CEST) provide faculty an opportunity to integrate teaching, scholarship, and service to create a transformational learning experience. Importantly, CEST is more than service, it becomes integrated into faculty identity, making it truly impactful for students and community partners. This paper presents a case study of a community-based learning (CBL) and engaged scholarship project with a local branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The benefits of this reciprocal partnership, including opportunities for students to apply course-content to real-world scenarios and helping our community partner gain access to human capital and research funds, will be discussed. Additional benefits to faculty teaching and research will be examined as well.

Author

• Lindsey Caola, College of the Holy Cross