Sequel - Fall 2007 - (Page 18) in education under his belt and did his doctoral dissertation on ways faculty can engage students to increase community benefit. “Community engagement is something that is already happening on this campus, in many respects,” Christianson said. “But with the Initiative, we will be able to focus on it in an important way that will involve students, faculty and staff in the learning process.” Another key player in the Communities of Engaged Learners initiative will be Dr. Elizabeth Hitch, who began work in July as the institution’s new vice president of academic affairs. Hitch knows a thing or two about engaging students in the community. At University of Wisconsin LaCrosse (UW-L), where she served stints as provost and interim chancellor, students have contributed some $2.5 million to the local economy through service engagement and learning activities. “Theory without practice is sort of empty,” Hitch continues. “This opportunity to tie theory and practice together is really what solidifies learning. It helps students realize why it’s important to understand the theory and also how it applies in a real world setting. For most students, it makes the educational experience much more relevant.” Part of the inspiration for Sederburg’s model came from the Bluegrass and Buckeye states. A delegation of a dozen or so representatives from UVSC, Utah County and the State of Utah paid Northern Kentucky University (NKU) a visit in January. Situated on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River five miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio, NKU recently made the transition from a technical college to a regional state university that now plays a key role in its region’s economy, says Cameron Martin, UVSC assistant to the president for institutional development and planning. “ I t ’s r e a l l y a n e x c i t i n g way to combine economic development for the region and create opportunities for students and faculty alike. I can advocate for it because I’ve seen it in action and seen it work so positively Dr. elIzabeth hItch, vIce for student learning,” Hitch presIDent of acaDemIc affaIrs says. “Frankly, my experience “Strategically, we’ve known where we’ve has been that communities get really excited about wanted [Utah Valley University] to go, but it involving students in what they’re doing. There are was extremely beneficial to see a model in many benefits that come from students and faculty action,” Martin says. and community agencies working together.” “thIs opportunIty to tIe theory and practIce together Is really what solIdIfIes learnIng.” In 2003, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities recognized NKU for its work in the area of community engagement and for being genuinely linked to the communities 18 FA L L 2 0 0 7 utah valley state college alumni magazine
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