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Engagement
Engagement occurs when collaborative scholarship (researching, teaching, and outreach) is directed toward a public need and when the relationship between campus and off-campus partners is reciprocal and mutually beneficial.
Engagement should include:
- Shared partnerships between university and non-university stakeholders,
- collaborative work,
- work that addresses some community need, goal, or dream,
- work that is mutually beneficial to all parties in the relationship, and
- the creation and sharing of new knowledge
Community Development Practice
"The work of teachers, researchers, administrators, volunteers, paid staff, and field workers to enhance the civic capacity of community members and to bring about change. " (Littrell & Littrell, 2006)
The process of community development involves community dialogue, bringing a community together to determine a shared vision and a shared way to proceed resulting in investments in a multitude of aspects that support quality of life. Community development includes planned investments in economic development, cultural development, leadership development, historical preservation and civic development as well as addressing human needs, infrastructure and the built environment, and the natural environment. The Center for Engagement and Community Development facilitates matches between the expanse of KSU resources with the various informational and assistance needs of communities.