Engaged Scholars Academy inaugural cohort

By Veronica Henderson, OAA Marketing and Communications Student Assistant

The Office of Outreach and Engagement kicked off the Engaged Scholars Academy with its first meeting at the Fawcett Center at the end of August.

The one-year cohort-based leadership and professional development initiative is aimed at strengthening engaged scholarship at Ohio State and building relationships between community partners and faculty.

"In addition to our regular professional development offerings, we wanted to support a more immersive and individualized experience for our engaged scholars," said Jason Reece, vice provost for Engaged Scholarship and Community Engagement. "We wanted to develop an experience that allowed them to build relationships with external community partners and to have a support network of peers who engage in the community with their work."

Additionally, Reece said the academy will support future generations of community engaged scholars at Ohio State.

"After several years of running the academy, we hope to have a robust alumni network of scholars who can help support their peers and advance engagement at the university," he said

During the meeting, the cohort heard from Michael Corey, the executive director for the Human Services Chamber, who discussed the current state of nonprofits in Central Ohio. This opportunity is one of many for the members to engage with the community and learn more about organizations working within the community.

Michelle Kaiser, associate professor in the College of Social Work and a member of the cohort, has always been an active member in her community and is excited for the ability to connect with her community and other passionate faculty members through the program.

"Prior to earning my PhD, I was a community practitioner working on issues related to poverty, affordable housing, environmental stewardship, immigration, homelessness and food insecurity," she said "This work with community partners in formal and informal settings informs my work. Since arriving at Ohio State, I have been committed to being part of two worldsthe broader community outside of Ohio State and the world inside my field, academia and the university."

Kaiser is excited about the opportunities the program is aiming to create.

"I believe that sharing resources is crucial to advance knowledge, support community priorities and wrestle with nuanced and place-based eco-social issues," she said. "I've been a faculty member since 2012, and I've seen the ways community partners and university partners can provide knowledge, energy, creativity and curiosity in projects."

She hopes that her experience in the Engaged Scholars Academy will give her a chance to not only connect with fellow faculty, but with the broader community.

"By the end of our time together, I hope to have an expanded network of engaged scholars from across disciplines, Kaiser explained. I want to spend devoted time with community partners. I want to be inspired, hear about what's going on in our communities, listen to experts, and find points of connection. I also want to understand their challenges, find ways to support their healing from negative experiences with university partners, work towards building equitable relationships and identify ways to meet community needs."

Along with learning how to best support the community, Kaiser is also looking forward to applying her experience from the program to her other endeavors.

"I have a current project, Roots of Recovery, that is a pilot. It's collaborative, and as we move through the project, I want to engage in co-creation with community partners and survivors to help develop the next iteration of a therapeutic horticulture program," she said.

The program will continue to meet once a month for the next seven months, with other meetings including site visits to community organizations, like the Wexner Medical Center Healthy Community Center and the Community Impact Center.

"I am excited to have devoted time each month to be in community with others, learning from both university and community colleagues. I hope to be in an inspiring and honest space and look forward to supporting other colleagues in their learning and work," said Kaiser.