Contribute to WWU’s Efforts to Better 'Engage with Place'

November 30, 2020

WWU's Center for Community Learning is organizing two new opportunities for members of the Western community to help fulfill Strategic Goal 2, which directs us to advance a deeper understanding of and engagement with place. 

“We’re very excited about these Center for Community Learning programs related to Western’s commitment to understanding and engaging with place in all its aspects and complexities,” said WWU Provost Brent Carbajal. “The opportunities these initiatives represent will foster connections and collaborations, exploration and possibility.  At this critical juncture in our communities from local to global, I invite us to participate in these initiatives as a way to enhance focus on our Strategic Plan and to make strides toward realization of the objectives tied to engagement with and understanding of place.”


Pride and Possibility Conversations

Western “engages place” through a wide range of classes, research projects, internships, programs and more. In order to gather exciting stories about our work in this realm and ideas about how we can do even better, the CCL’s Laurel Hammond will soon begin conducting Pride and Possibility Conversations with members of the campus community. 

Hammond will be asking campus community members:  

  • What aspect(s) of your work related to Goal 2 are you most proud of? 
  • What aspect(s) of your work related to Goal 2 would you like help improving? 
  • What possibilities do you see for WWU growing into this goal over the next 5 years?

"This is a time for storytelling,” said Hammond. “I look forward to documenting the dynamic history of our work to build Western’s sense of place, and to imagine with you our collective potential."

If you’d like to set up a Pride and Possibility Conversation, contact laurel.hammond@wwu.edu. 

If you prefer to submit a written response to the questions, you can use the Pride and Possibilities electronic form. 


Engagement with Place Coalition

Western is also seeking new ways to build connections and synergies among the people and programs focused on place-based learning, sustainability, community engagement, and other aspects of WWU’s work related to Strategic Goal 2. 

In that spirit, members of the Western community are welcome to contribute to the Engagement with Place Coalition, which will be convened by the CCL’s Travis Tennessen. 

Members of this community of practice will:

  • hear each other across contexts
  • address challenges
  • reflect on what we do and how we can grow
  • build shared understanding
  • gain confidence
  • keep up with changes
  • collaborate on innovation
  • empower and energize each other

 

Participation will involve ~2 hours of live interaction per month, starting winter quarter, with other optional opportunities. 

“Western connects with our region and the world in many ways, though the folks doing that work aren’t always connected with each other,” explains Tennessen, “This new coalition will help us work better together, and improve our collaborations with those beyond the university.”

The Engagement with Place Coalition is open to all students, faculty, and staff who want to contribute to improving their work in this realm. If you’d like to join in, contact travis.tennessen@wwu.edu.