Visit to Japan Discovers Strong Interest in Community-Based Learning

In March, Public Administration Professor, Masami Nishishiba; CUPA Dean, Stephen Percy; Dean of Graduate Studies and Vice Provost for International Affairs, Margaret Everett; and I traveled to Japan. Our trip was a busy and productive one – we visited six universities, one foundation, and one government office for the purpose of discussing new or expanded partnerships with PSU.

What was striking about this visit was the high interest that Japanese universities have in PSU’s greatest strength—community engagement. I asked Stephen Percy and Margaret Everett to write a guest blog about the connections made.

By Stephen Percy and Margaret Everett

A Better Campus Community through Participation

Recent events had me thinking about PSU’s level of internal community engagement. In the past few weeks, I attended a first anniversary session for faculty, the monthly College of Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Research Brown-Bag, Second Thursday Social Club, my monthly Drop-in Provost Sessions, the Administrative Briefing, a “First Thursday” at a Pearl District Gallery featuring work of faculty in the Arts, and our Winter Symposium.

While a number of faculty and staff participated in these events, attendance was minimal. Even the Second Thursday Social Club that attracts about 100 faculty and staff each month reflects a small percentage of our total PSU faculty and staff.

Celebrating 20 Years of PSU’s Capstone Program

PSU’s Capstone Program turned 20 this year! I wondered if we take for granted what it really means for PSU and our students to have a curriculum that embodies our urban university mission and our “Let Knowledge Serve the City” motto. I mean 20 years is a long time. I admit, I feel a bit smug when I hear of other universities struggling to create meaningful community engagement opportunities and hands-on student learning experiences; after all, we have been doing it for decades!

What are Capstone Courses?
Capstone courses are part of our University Studies portfolio, along with Freshman Inquiry, Sophomore Inquiry, and Junior Clusters.

“In Capstone courses, students bring together the knowledge, skills, and interests developed to this point through all aspects of their education, to work on a community project. Students from a variety of majors and backgrounds work as a team, pooling resources, and collaborating with faculty and community leaders to understand and find solutions for issues that are important to them as literate and engaged citizens.”