Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Campus Compacts (CC), in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement (OPE) are offering a set of Communities of Practice (CoPs) in 2019-20 to enhance individuals’ capacity to do community engagement work in higher education; identify resources, research findings, program models, insights, etc., benefit a broader network; and build the field’s knowledge about CoPs as a model for professional development.

What do CoP Co-Chairs do?

CoP co-chairs prepare for and co-facilitate at least six group meetings, starting in October and running through the academic year. After CoP co-chairs and topics are selected, co-chairs will need to provide Campus Compact staff with six dates/times for their CoP sessions. All co-chairs will participate in an orientation via Zoom video call in August.  Campus Compact staff will coordinate the recruitment of CoP participants, provide technical assistance, staff CoP meetings, and check in periodically with co-chairs.

Co-chairs will work together to plan and facilitate each session. During meetings, participants might:

• share principles, theories, or models and discuss how they play out in their work;
• share stories from their work and collectively derive principles for practice;
• discuss case studies or scenarios elucidating issues relevant to the group;
• consult with the group about aspects of their work that pertain to the CoP topic; or
• share and discuss articles, videos, and other resources.

Some co-chairs may decide to have participants do a reading, have pair conversations, prepare a written reflection, bring a resource to share, etc. between sessions. Staff support will be available to all co-chairs throughout the process.

What topics do CoPs address?

We are soliciting applicants to facilitate CoPs on specific topics below, though we also welcome applicants to propose other topics or variations on those listed below. If you are interested in multiple topics, please rank your preferences in your application.

Potential Topics

• Supporting the development of community engagement professionals
• Advancing connections between community/civic engagement and career services on campus
• Advancing connections between community/civic engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus
• Making the case for community engagement and articulating an institution’s brand of engagement
• Assessing and evaluating the impact of community engagement on its stakeholders
• Engaging the spectrum of civic learning pedagogies
• Developing critical consciousness through meaningful praxis (reflection, dialogue, and action)
• Deepening community engaged research

What are the benefits of being a CoP Co-Chair?  

CoP co-chairs will have the unique experience of collaborating with other change-oriented people from an array of roles and institutions across the region in a collaborative and asset-focused environment. They can expect to learn with participants and gain experience facilitating this type of collaborative learning process, including using remote digital engagement tools and harvesting resources and shared knowledge. In addition, co-chairs will each receive a $1,000 stipend.

How will CoP Co-Chairs be selected?

Applications must be submitted online no later than April 22, 2019. Campus Compact staff will review applications and select co-chairs using the following criteria:

• demonstrated commitment to leadership on the issue you select or propose;
• experience facilitating collaborative group processes;
• willingness to commit to co-chairing a CoP for one academic year (October 2019 – May 2020);
• interest in both developing your own leadership and co-creating resources and learning opportunities for others;
• creation of co-chair pairs with complementary skills and perspectives; and
• affiliation with an Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin Campus Compact member for those at higher education institutions.

Please note that we encourage those in faculty and/or staff roles and/or community partners to apply.

How do I apply? 

If you’re interested in co-chairing with a specific person, please submit separate applications that indicate your desired co-chair. Our staff is happy to match other applicants based on aligned interests. Please note that we will give preferences to co-chairs affiliated with different campuses or organizations. Please complete the form by 5 p.m. on April 22, 2019.