‘Community Centric’ Experiential Education

Aman, Jamila (2013) ‘Community Centric’ Experiential Education. In: CU Expo 2013, June 12-15, 2013, Corner Brook, NL, Canada. (Submitted)

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Abstract

A commitment to community engagement is a prominent feature of York University’s key academic priorities. The 2010-15 University Academic Plan, for example, recommends developing innovative initiatives that further university-community partnerships, and acknowledge and integrate into curriculum learning acquired outside the classroom. In this climate of increased university interest in experiential education, with funding received from the York University Academic Innovation Fund, the York University – TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC) (an off campus office located in a shopping mall in the neighbouring community of Jane and Finch)established the role of Community Agency Partner in Residence (CAPiR). In this project the CEC seconded a senior community leader from a localnon-profit agency to work full time at the CEC in order to enhance the CEC’s ability to understand the benefits and challenges of experiential education(EE) from a community partner’s point of view and to strengthen the supports that the CEC provides for EE at York and in the Black Creek area. The key project goal of centering community interests aims to strengthen partnerships over time by ensuring rewards for all parties. This paper reports on the key learnings from the project gathered through individual interviews with senior university and community leaders, data gathered from a focus group with campus EE coordinators and community placement supervisors as well as responses from an EE strategic planning day for the CEC. We will also report on key project outcomes and reflect generally on the success and challenges of the project and the extent to which the project has impactedthe community’s interest and understanding of EE as well as the overall impact on the university’s understanding of community partner needs relative to EE.

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