As a land-grant institution, The Ohio State University is committed to producing research and teaching that address pressing societal challenges through community partnerships. The Engaged Scholars Academy advances this mission by providing faculty with structured support, leadership development and a collaborative cohort experience designed to strengthen and elevate their engaged scholarship across the university and beyond.
In alignment with Ohio State's land-grant mission, the Office of Outreach and Engagement supports the development of robust, mutually beneficial partnerships between the university and the community. The Engaged Scholars Academy was established to further this mission by supporting faculty in developing and advancing their engaged scholarship.
The Engaged Scholars Academy is a one-year, cohort-based leadership and professional development initiative designed for faculty seeking to deepen their practice of engaged scholarship. Priority consideration will be given to tenure-track faculty.
Benefits of participation:
- Build and strengthen relationships with local community organizations and partners
- Connect with a cohort of peers committed to engaged scholarship
- Learn from speakers including local nonprofit leaders, engaged faculty scholars, university leaders, national thought leaders, and local government partners
- Expand understanding of current central Ohio community issues, challenges and opportunities
- Engage in networking across the university, the central Ohio and statewide community, and national engagement-focused networks
- Receive guidance on navigating promotion and tenure as an engaged scholar
- Participate in one-on-one consultations with university outreach and engagement leaders
- Explore best practices and case studies of engaged research and teaching
- Access opportunities through the national Engaged Scholarship Consortium (ESC)
- Receive a $1,500 stipend to support engaged scholarship research
Potential topics include:
- Building strong and sustainable relationships with community partners
- Evaluating and documenting impact
- Understanding the nonprofit landscape in central Ohio
- Assessing community needs
- Achieving broader impacts
- Publishing community-engaged scholarship
Schedule (subject to change):
All meetings are from noon to 3 p.m.
- Friday, September 11, 2026
- Friday, October 9, 2026
- Friday, November 13, 2026
- Friday, December 4, 2026
- Friday, February 5, 2027
- Friday, March 5, 2027
- Friday, April 2, 2027