Academics: Service-Learning/Community Based Research and the Public Service Minor

Community Based Research

Community Based Research (CBR) and service-learning may be used in the teaching of many different subject areas. The types of community engagement used in service-learning courses ranges from tutoring, child care, and preparing meals to developing and administering evaluation surveys for a local agency, designing the space for the local teen center or researching how gender affects the learning of students in Geneva.

CBR projects entail a semester long commitment devoted to the exploration of a vital community issue. Students with exceptional initiative work collaboratively with a community partner and faculty sponsor. Responsibilities vary based upon the specific details within the proposal and will likely include independent research, weekly check-ins with community partner and faculty sponsor, and a concluding presentation or project. CBR projects can count towards a student's major (see course requirements) or as Geneva Collaborative Internship (GCIP 401). Please review the Application and the Faculty Adviser Agreement Form and contact Katie Flowers in CCESL.

To read about past Community Based Research Projects, visit the CBR Archive.

Community Engaged Scholarship Forum

Click to enlarge.

The annual Community Engaged Scholarship Forum is an opportunity to highlight reciprocal and mutually beneficial community-student partnerships and projects. The student projects are advised by both faculty sponsors and community agency leaders and occur independently or as part of a class. The entire community is invited to attend and celebrate the exciting learning and engagement that is representative of the positive potential of academically supported and engaged learning collaborations.

If you'd like to nominate a community partner, student scholar, or engaged faculty member, please click here for the nomination form.

Community Partner of the Year:
This award is presented annually to the person/agency who has consistently contributed to the civic development and leadership of Hobart and William Smith Colleges students. This award recognizes the inherent value of community collaborations and acknowledges with gratitude the time, energy and interest invested in the student service and learning experience. Nominators may be students, faculty, or staff.

Compass Award for Outstanding Engaged Student Scholarship:
This award is presented annually to a Hobart College or William Smith College student who has excelled in either a community-based research project or a service-learning course. The student work is academically rigorous and has a meaningful community impact. Nominators may be community partners, faculty, staff, or peers.

HWS Civically Engaged Faculty Award:
The Provost’s Office and The Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning seek nominations for the annual “HWS Civically Engaged Faculty Award.” Campus Compact defines a civically engaged faculty member as one who has demonstrated “exemplary engaged scholarship, including leadership in advancing students’ civic learning, conducting community-based research, fostering reciprocal community partnerships, building institutional commitments to service-learning and civic engagement, and other means of enhancing higher education’s contributions to the public good.” Nominators may be community partners, faculty, staff, or students.