The OCE at Penn State Berks, supported by the Office of Academic Affairs, is faculty-led and faculty-run. It is a forum to share knowledge, expertise, experience, and training among participating faculty. Service-learning and community-based research require that faculty re-design their classes. Faculty take risks that often lead to meaningful student learning and contribute to the public good and social justice. Students also leave their comfort zones as they apply new concepts to real situations, and communities benefit from the knowledge and activities students bring to the organization.
How faculty and staff benefit from community engagement
The benefits of community engagement, service-learning, and community-based undergraduate research to faculty and staff include:
- motivating students to participate actively in coursework.
- providing opportunities to apply classroom concepts and information to real situations.
- transforming student research assignments into concrete learning experiences.
- giving students the chance to make a difference with their own work by sharing their knowledge, research, and conclusions with community organizations working on real problems.
- enlivening the exchange of ideas and experiences in class and/or club.
- learning from students as they share their projects with you and their classmates.
- connecting your own research interests and knowledge with the community in which we live and work.
How the OCE assists faculty and staff
The OCE is here to help you with:
- the intellectual, curricular, and logistical planning and execution of your project.
- matching interested faculty and staff with community organizations' needs.
- access an ever-expanding library of print and web resources as well as specific articles and examples of syllabi for many disciplines.
Plan your event or get involved now
The OCE coordinates all aspects of events occurring outside classrooms and clubs. Whether you're hosting an event that's open to the whole campus community or looking to take an initiative to the greater region, it's critical to involve OCE staff. To begin, contact the OCE at BK-OCE@psu.edu or 610-396-6200.