July 24, 2024
Chapman Center announces recipients of Arts and Sciences Integrating Engagement Across All We Do Grant
Kansas State University's Chapman Center for Rural Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences announces eight recipients of the inaugural Arts and Sciences Integrating Engagement Across All We Do Grant. With funding from K-State's Office of Engagement, the center has awarded more than $32,000 to projects seeking to foster engagement in and beyond the college classroom.
"This funding represents a commitment to growing engaged scholarship and pedagogy in the College of Arts and Sciences, highlighting the myriad ways our faculty is building connections with community members to solve today's big problems," said Mary Kohn, professor of linguistics and director of the Chapman Center for Rural Studies.
Four recipients will receive $2,000 each to infuse community engagement into courses they will offer in 2024-2025. Andrea Faber, assistant professor of Spanish; Shreepad Joglekar, associate professor of art; Laura Moley, research assistant professor of geography; and Ania Payne, assistant professor of English, will work with community members to give real-world educational experiences to students while supporting and enhancing community partnerships and projects.
For example, Joglekar will redesign the course, Art and Design: Community and the Environment Experience Lab, so that students work directly with community artists to launch collaborative projects with organizations like the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission.
The other four grants, totaling $24,000, will allow Virginia Naibo, professor of math; Lisa Tatonetti, university distinguished teaching scholar and Donnelly Professor of English; Samual Mwangi, professor of media and communication; and Bryan Pinkall, professor of music, theatre and dance, to connect faculty and students with community partners to work on critical problems. Projects range from supporting educational experiences for high school students to providing onsite drama and dance therapy for special populations in rural communities.
"Our faculty's success obtaining these grants is a testament to their excellent creative, scholarly and pedagogical work dedicated to community engagement," said Chris Culbertson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "They are committed to K-State's efforts to engage with and positively impact Kansas communities and provide applied learning opportunities for students."