Community-Based Learning Highlighted in National Journal

The University of Scranton’s Office of Community-Based Learning was recently highlighted in Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal. The research titled: “Implication of a Community-Based Learning Faculty Fellows Program to Facilitate Teaching and Learning in the Jesuit Tradition” focused on expanding the conversation around implementation of Ignatian pedagogy to engage faculty across Jesuit universities through a Community-Based Learning Faculty Fellows Program.

Dr. Debra L. Fetherman, Associate Professor of Health and Human Services, Community-Based Learning Faculty Coordinator, was the lead author on this project while Julie Schumacher-Cohen, Vice President of Community and Government Relations along with the inaugural Community-Based Learning Faculty Fellows co-authored the article: Dr. Ovidiu Cocieru, Dr. Gerard Dumancas, Dr. Brian Snee and Dr. Patricia Wisniewski.

The Office of Community-Based Learning, through recommendations by the Community-Based Learning Board, created and implemented the Community-Based Learning Faculty Fellows Program in the 2022-2023 academic year.

The purpose of the program, as explained in the article is “to recognize, reward, and support faculty eager to fully integrate CBL; and to expand, strengthen and demonstrate the universities' commitment to the common good.” The research illustrated the transformational learning and teaching experience of Community-Based Learning Faculty Fellows and the impact this experience has had on their connection to the University community and greater community of Scranton.

Community-Based Learning Faculty Fellows indicated that, “they benefited both personally and professionally from participating in the program; while, also increasing their skills and capacities as Ignatian educators.” Fetherman and the other participants emphasize that faculty shared a common “desire to continue in this work for the benefit and positive impact it had on their teaching, their students and the community.”

The Office of Community-Based Learning was created in 2017 to strengthen and expand Community-Based Learning across the University, reflecting the commitment to reciprocal relationships that support both student learning and the greater Scranton community. For more information, please visit scranton.edu/CBL or contact cbl@scranton.edu.