Community Engagement Programs

The College of Liberal Arts sees as its mission educating every individual to live more knowledgeably, responsibly, and humanely in a society in which simple solutions no longer answer complex problems. 

Community Engagement describes the research, teaching, learning, and leadership activities in which university and community members participate through mutually beneficial collaborations.  Engagement increases a community’s well-being while enhancing the quality of scholarship on the Purdue campus.

Purdue University is committed to community engagement.  Purdue joined Imagining America, a consortium of nearly 100 Universities and Colleges that promotes public scholarship. Purdue University formed a campus wide task force to apply for The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement.  It was granted in 2009.

The College of Liberal Arts Engagement office works with community stakeholders to build a stronger economy, to foster cultural, environmental, and historical appreciations, and to address challenges that face today’s students and citizens, and tomorrow’s leaders.

The College of Liberal Arts Engagement office supports two major programs:  Building Community and the Public Square Forum.  It provides modest levels of financial assistance for research, supplies and expenses, performers and speakers, and program coordinators.

A new Engagement initiative is the Center for the Study of Violence.  It has hosted two major events.  By Fall 2011, it will post bibliographic essays on various forms of violence.

The College seeks new ways to engage the University's publics through service, service-learning, public presentations and performances, and voluntary involvement in programs designed to improve life circumstances in our community, the State of Indiana, the United States, and the wider world.

JoAnn Miller
March 2011

Presidential Address delivered by JoAnn Miller at the Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting. August 14, 2010

• Address
• Slides

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• Newsletter
• Objectives
• Office Hours and Contact Information
• Other Programs
• Service Learning Courses

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