Bonner Scholars and elementary students engage in different service projects, such as beach clean-up day
The Bonner Center works with professors to shape and support community engaged learning projects that are integrated into First Year Seminar Program (FSP) classes. There are four general stages in this process each year.
FSP Course Development and Approval: the Coordinator of the First Year Seminar Program recruits faculty members who are interested in teaching FSP courses; as part of that process professors are asked if they wish to include a community engaged learning component to their classes. This starts during the middle of the Fall Semester. (Interested faculty should contact Tom Hagedorn at hagedorn@tcnj.edu).
Faculty Outreach: Bonner Center staff contact individual faculty members who express an interest in the CEL program as part of the recruitment and development process and invite them to participate in a CEL project development workshop. These workshops are usually scheduled in the spring and summer. While faculty members are encouraged to participate, it is not required.
CEL Advisors and 1-1 Meetings: Once the faculty member’s course is approved by the FY Seminar Coordinator and Committee, he or she receives their own CEL Advisor. These are members of the Bonner Center’s staff and they provide assistance throughout the development and implementation of the class-based project.
Project or Experience Development: In this stage, CEL Advisors usually complete a number of tasks with or for their faculty partner. These include finding the right community partner, proposing or co-shaping project plans that meet both learning and community objectives, and facilitating a faculty-partner meeting to establish a final plan of action. These final plans typically include the assignment of 1-2 Bonner Community Scholars who can serve as CEL “TA’s.” They can help the professor further organize the experience as well as work alongside and guide the FSP students while they are at their community site. The Center provides transportation and takes care of meals.
If you have any questions about developing a community engaged learning project for your class or one you might create, contact Patrick Donohue at pdonohue@tcnj.edu.