How can courses with elements of community engagement continue when students are supposed to avoid others due to the coronavirus? It’s not easy, but some things are possible.

In recent years, UVA has expanded programs and pathways for incorporating community service into student experience. Some opportunities have grown out of Madison House, the independent student volunteer center – supporting Stephenson’s and other writing courses, for example. The provost’s office and Center for Teaching Excellence are also highly involved.

Bonnie Gordon, an associate professor of music, pursues her dedication to community engagement as a faculty director of UVA’s Equity Center. She runs the Civic and Community Engagement program in the College of Arts & Sciences, with support from Ellen Blackmon, curricular coordinator for community engagement in UVA’s Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Outreach, and Rose Cole, director of community engagement at Madison House. The select group of courses the Equity Center offers are two-semester blocks, in order to have more impact for the community partners and students.

Read the rest of this UVA Today story here.