This two-day, in-person institute at the University Michigan introduced faculty and staff to an experiential learning approach for incorporating social action campaigns into either a semester-long course or co-curricular workshop series. In this transformative experiential learning model, students develop and launch a social action campaign of their choosing during the semester the course is taught. The student campaigns seek to change a rule, regulation, norm, or practice of an institution, whether on campus or in the community.
Our long-term goal is to mainstream this model for teaching active democracy. The world needs more citizens who have developed their knowledge and skills in bringing about positive change through real world experience. While not all of the student campaigns are successful, many have been and those that haven’t succeeded have still taught valuable lessons to those who led them and those who were engaged in one form or another.
Institute Participants
Lesli Hoey
Urban and Regional Planning Program
University of Michigan
Maria Alejandra Perez
Department of Geology and Geography
West Virginia University
Andrew Pierce
Philosophy/Justice Studies
Saint Mary's College
Laura Napier
Stamps School of Art & Design
University of Michigan
Kristen Pengelly
Communication Studies
DePaul University
Brittany Martino
Upward Bound Math-Science
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Fiona Gladstone
Department of Social Sciences and History
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Hannah Gosnell
College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Oregon State University
Katya Armistead
Dean of Students
University of Californa, Santa Barbara
Katya Armistead
Dean of Students
University of Californa, Santa Barbara
Maria Arquero de Alarcon
Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning
University of Michigan
Michael Dover
School of Social Work
Cleveland State University
Russ Wood
Humanities and Social Sciences
Southwest Virginia Community College
Sally Geislar
Environmental Studies
Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
Simone Charles
Environmental health sciences
University of Michigan
Steven Mupata
Housing
University of Denver
Surey Miranda-Alarcon
Center for Community Engaged Learning
Fordham University
Tara Smithson
Modern Languages and Cultures
Saint Mary's College
Thomas Wassmer
Biology
Siena Heights University
Viviana Marsano
Dean of Students
University of California, Santa Barbara