George Mason University has become an integral element in the fabric of our community, a meeting point that enriches our lives intellectually and culturally. We want to take our engagement with our community to an even higher level. A more intimate relationship with our community will not only enrich the community but will benefit our students as well. It will offer additional opportunities for research and scholarship, for experiential learning, for artistic and athletic performance, and for development of values of citizenship and social service. It will also generate a greater understanding and appreciation for what we do and will motivate further philanthropic investments in the university.
What Is Community Engagement?
George Mason defines Community Engagement as the collaboration between Mason faculty, staff, students, and alumni and the community (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, resources and service in a context of partnership and reciprocity.
The purpose of community engagement is to leverage the knowledge and resources of the Mason community with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance teaching and learning; prepare engaged citizens; strengthen civic responsibility and the community-engaged learner; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.
Community Engagement at Mason includes, but is not limited to:
- Academic service learning
- Community-engaged research, scholarship, teaching/learning
- Community service activities
Strategic Goals:
- To build community partnerships characterized by trust, respect, reciprocal and mutual benefits for all partners, community capacity building, and long-term relationships.
- To practice and advance best practices in community engagement.
- To establish a model for community engagement that addresses critical needs in our surrounding communities.
- To collect data on community engagement activity Mason, which will be used to apply for first-time Carnegie Classification in 2020.