2016 Annual Conference

There are almost endless ways that faculty of adult education can invest in their communities. This session will look at some examples of using faculty expertise to help community entities, such as libraries or nonprofit organizations, fulfill their educational missions. Participants will brainstorm ideas for their own involvement.

This session will interest faculty and adult educators
• who want to be involved in shaping the future of communities by helping community organizations fulfill their missions.
• who need a little “know-how” and coaching to share their expertise outside their university environment.

Many faculty are looking for meaningful ways to engage with their communities. Often those aspirations are met with board and committee service--sitting in monthly or quarterly meetings and providing occasional input. This certainly serves a purpose, but could we do more to meet the needs of organizations—especially those groups pursuing missions that resonate with our own passions? Are there ways to offer our gifts, skills, and passion to serve organizations that may greatly benefit from our expertise and experiences? Faculty are in unique positions to do this, with areas of expertise that often go untapped by the organizations who could use them most.

This interactive session will explore ways the presenters have shared their expertise to benefit community organizations (paid and unpaid). Participants will then identify their particular gifts and skills that could be utilized in various community settings (e.g., leadership development or strategic planning), and draft an action plan for connecting their gifts with organizations whose mission aligns with their heart.

As faculty “let their light shine” beyond the ivory tower, they will enrich their community, gain insights that will enhance teaching, open new avenues for relevant research, and create supporters for their institution.