About Us
How We Do This Work
The Engaged University (EU) has created an innovative set of strategiessimultaneously positioning itself as container, convener, caralyst and connector.* As container, at the Center of Educational Partnership, EU provides the physical, emotional, andpsychological space for collaborative engagement; as convener, EUoffers a purpose and call to coalesce; ascatalyst, EU stimulates awareness of pressing local issues and helps tocraft collective solutions; and as connector, EU bridgesdifferences and creates bonds amongst diverse people through discovered similarities.
People are at the center of the work that we do. More than anything else, we believe that relationships are what matter. They unite people and make change possible. We cultivate relationships with people and organizations that are grounded in mutual respect, equity, shared responsibility, and trust.
Our work as convener and catalyst in the local community and on the College Park campus is guided by six models of university-community engagement (follow the links for a description of each).
(2) The University-Assisted Community School
(5) Community-Based Arts and Culture
(6) Community-Based Economic Development
∗ Note: The 4Cs are a concept developed by our allies at the Walker Art Museum in Minneapolis.