The Intersection of Knowledge and Engagement: Community Partners’ Experiences With a Place-Based Community Engagement Program

• In Event: Student Communities and Political Engagement

Abstract

Higher education organizations (HEOs) invest in service-learning, internships, and community-based research, which generally require community partner organizations. However, the impact of these programs on the community partners remains poorly understood. To address this, we conducted a mixed-methods embedded case study, examining community partners’ experiences within a place-based engagement program. Focus groups revealed a two-dimensional understanding of community partners' experiences, categorized by engagement and knowledge. Survey results added nuance and breadth to these findings while providing a more detailed assessment of costs and benefits for community partners. Findings suggest that HEOs can leverage this two-dimensional understanding, prioritize mission alignment, and emphasize assessment and mitigation of costs to support community partner organizations better.

Authors

• Sondra Nicole Barringer, Southern Methodist University

• Dustin Grabsch, Southern Methodist University

• Kalkidan Desta, Southern Methodist University

• Caitlin Anderson, Southern Methodist University

• Sakshi Hinduja, Southern Methodist University