Transforming Students Into Leaders Through Civic Engagement: Expanding the Classroom Experience Maureen L. Mackenzie, Ph.D. PHR Professor of Business 13 th Biennial Colloquium of Dominican Colleges and Universities Molloy College June 12-14, 2014 Kathleen Maurer Smith Ph.D Dean, Division of Social Sciences Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs Madeline Gunn, Ph.D. Director, Office of Experiential Learning

The Expanded Classroom Kathleen Maurer Smith The Expanded Classroom involves Experiential Learning which includes:  Internships  Community-based research  Service Learning in local communities  Service Learning Immersion trips

The Expanded Classroom Kathleen Maurer Smith Experiential Learning prepares students to: Discover connections between ideas and real world problems Become socially aware, civically engaged citizens Develop transformational leadership skills Become motivated toward conscientious community action

Transformative Education Maureen L. Mackenzie Fall 2012 – Annual Theme – Civic Engagement Capstone: Management focused on Social Good Bloomberg Foundation – Mayor’s Challenge Study, Spirituality, Service, Community …Through transformative education, Molloy College promotes a lifelong search for truth and the development of ethical leadership. Clients: Villages of Babylon, Port Jefferson, Mastic Beach, Freeport, NCCHR, LIRPC, Housing Authority, Sustainability Long Island

The Village of Babylon Preservation of Historic Properties Ajana Wilkinson Transformative Education that leads to Social Good: Self efficacy and self-discovery Explore solutions that would simplify for residents the complexity of preservation code Establish a Landmark Preservation Commission The code be reformed to plain language The village apply for grants to be used solely for the purpose of historic preservation

The Village of Babylon Chamber of Commerce: Frequent Shopper Card Joanna Bellinzoni Capstone – Transformative Education leads to Social Good: Self efficacy and self-discovery

Experiential Learning Madeline Gunn

Expanding the classroom beyond the local community: how & why. Synergy or convergence between the partnering community and college needs ◦ New Orleans – Hurricane Katrina (2005) left the city with substantial needs and the BP oil spill (2010) left the Gulf Coast significantly damaged. (Nursing & Environmental Science majors) ◦ Bayamon, Puerto Rico – 45% unemployment, 80% of the children live in poverty, rich culture & history (Spanish and Spanish Education majors) ◦ Lower Brule Sioux Reservation, South Dakota. The historical consequences of the reservation system are still evident today. The unemployment rate is 51%, local schools scored below testing goals, rich culture and history. (Psychology, Sociology, History majors)

It is all about relationship… We create the most meaningful experiences for our students through our relationships with our community partners Our students learn about the people, the culture and the challenges they confront through relationship with that community Educators convey theory / learning goals more effectively through relationship with students

New Orleans, Louisiana Ms. Gurchurn Minhas Nursing major

Bayamon, Puerto Rico Ms. Joana Solarte Nursing major

Lower Brule Sioux Reservation, South Dakota Ms. Jasmine Rivera Psychology Major

Transforming Students Into Leaders Through Civic Engagement: Expanding the Classroom Experience

Insights and Wrap-up Kathleen Maurer Smith ACADEMIC LEARNING + CIVIC ENGAGEMENT = STUDENT AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS

Students who participate in civic engagement ◦ Learn and retain more academic content ◦ Learn higher order skills ◦ Experience increased emotional intelligence and motivation Insights and Wrap-up Kathleen Maurer Smith

Communities benefit by: ◦ Forming transformative partnership with local colleges and universities to assess community needs and develop solutions ◦ Tapping into the multidiscipline expertise of students and faculty ◦ Experiencing the community improvements that results from these collaborate efforts Insights and Wrap-up Kathleen Maurer Smith

Transforming Students Into Leaders Through Civic Engagement: Expanding the Classroom Experience THANK YOU!