Exciting things are happening this September

OCE CONNECT

September 2023

Another academic year is officially underway at the University of Iowa, bringing with it some exciting changes at the Office of Community Engagement (OCE). This means new programs and workshops, new staff, new graduate assistants, a new office space and more events coming your way.

I encourage you all to stop by our Open House today, September 6th, from 3-5, to tour our new space in the UCC, learn about our programs, and get to know OCE staff. September promises to be a month full of engagement opportunities, and we're excited to fill you in on programs and activities that can advance your teaching, research and community partnership development. We hope to see you soon!

In partnership,

Nick Benson

Executive Director

Get to Know OCE

Engagement Open House

Wednesday, September 6th OCE will host an Open House from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. We invite you to visit our new space at 2999 UCC for refreshments and snacks, tour our new office space and learn about our programs. 2022-23 GEC Grant Award winners will also have their work on display during the Open House. If you are new to community engagement, this will be a great opportunity to learn about engagement resources at Iowa and build connections. All are welcome any time between 3:00-5:00 PM.

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Welcome Aboard!

We have some new faces around the office! The start of the academic year brought along some new staff and graduate assistants. We’re excited to add their talents and experience to our team.

Learn more about Rachel Young, Alex Uhrich, Koada Heacock, Jacqueline Banigan, and Riley Finer by clicking below.

Meet Us

Teaching, Learning, and Research

Community Engagement Network

Do you manage community partnerships as a key part of your job? Are you the “go-to” person for community partners seeking to connect with your department or unit? Do you have a specific focus to help create the environment that makes community engagement possible? Are you otherwise deeply involved in community-engaged teaching or research? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please consider joining the Community Engagement Network (CEN) scholars and practitioners!

Through sharing and learning about our collective engagement models, current partnerships, and best practices, we aim to:

Build community among community-engaged scholars and practitioners across campus
Forge new connections and interdisciplinary collaborations
Enhance impact for faculty, students, and community partners
Align efforts with the UI Strategic Plan and institutional goals

Join us for coffee on Friday, September 15 from 8:00 - 9:00 AM in 2520D UCC for our first CEN event of the Fall semester!

The Arts

Arts Share & Grant Wood Art Colony

During the Iowa City Climate Fest this month, Arts Share and Grant Wood Arts Colony are working together to present the Bee Project.

Created by Grant Wood Printmaking Fellow Elena V. Smyrniotis, The Bee Project offers an exciting art project that you can do independently in your community. While the swarm continues to travel throughout North America, don't miss your chance to participate in the Bee Project during Iowa City's Climate Fest 2023. On September 21st, from 4:30 - 6:30 PM, community members are invited to the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center's craft room to make their own bees. The bees will then be installed in the Discovery Garden.

Professional Development

The 2023 Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference will take place October 4-5 in East Lansing, Michigan. This year's theme is “Mobilizing Change through Engaged Scholarship.” The conference will provide a platform for intentional conversations about how engaged scholarship can lead to significant, positive impacts in the community and the academy. To register and learn more about this exciting conference, click the link below. Registration deadline is 9/18.

ESC Schedule

Recap

Looking Forward

Open House

Visit 9/6 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM to learn more about who we are and what we do in our new office space.

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Coffee with the Network

Grab coffee at our first CEN event! Stop by 2520D UCC on 9/15 at 8:00 - 9:00 AM.

The Bee Project / Climate Fest

The Iowa City Climate Fest is 9/18-23. Check out our website later for more details on The Bee Project, happening 9/21, to learn what the buzz is about.

What We've Been Up To

Lone Tree Mural Ribbon Cutting

Murals can make any structure more beautiful! Community members from Lone Tree decided to enhance their parks with murals on the restrooms. Working with Arts Share and Grant Wood Art Colony, UI graduate artist Drew Etienne painted the murals with themes suggested by Lone Tree residents. A ribbon cutting was held during their Fall Festival.

Beyond Volunteering: Changing Your World Through Community Engagement

First-year seminars are underway! Students in OCE's Jan Warren’s seminar heard from speakers at the Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC).

Community-Engaged Courses (CEC)

We've kicked off Community-Engaged Courses across campus like Latinx Community Engagement, taught by OCE's Nick Benson.

Interested in teaching a CEC? Applications will be available on our website later this month to register your own CEC for the Spring semester.

Office of Community Engagement | Website | Contact Us

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