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Research Articles

Vol. 14 No. 2

Collecting Data to Inform Decision Making and Action: The University of Vermont's Faculty Community Engagement Tool

  • Kate Westdijk
  • Christopher Koliba
  • Kelly Hamshaw
Submitted
June 8, 2010
Published
2010-06-08

Abstract

Evaluative instruments designed to assess a university’s or college’s institutionalization of service-learning practices have been devised and widely utilized. These instruments often come with assumptions about aligning data with decision making. To date, attempts to document community engagement practices within a department or an entire school/college within a comprehensive university are lacking in the literature. This article addresses that gap by presenting an approach that inventories faculty community engagement activities at the levels of a school and a department within a major research university. It also highlights the potential application of the results of this process for the decision-making of several audiences, ranging from institutional leaders seeking to strengthen outreach efforts to outreach staff looking to improve their programming.