Definition for Community Engagement

VCU definition for community engagement is "The collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in the context of partnership and reciprocity. It can involve partnerships and coalitions that help mobilize resources and influence systems and serve as catalysts for initiating and/or changing policies, programs, and practices." 

Other related definitions include:

Community: a group of people external to the campus who are affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, similar situation or shared values. Communities may share characteristics such as age, ethnicity, gener, or sexual orientation

Partnership: sustained collaboration between institutions of higher education and communities for the mutually beneficial exchange, exploration, and application of knowledge, information, and resources. Examples are research, capacity building, or economic development.

Community Outreach: The application and provision of institutional resources, knowledge or services that directly benefit the community. Examples include music concerts, athletic events, student volunteers, public lectures, or health fairs.

Community-Engaged Scholarship: The creation and dissemination of knowledge and creative expression in furtherance of the mission and goals of the University and in collaboration with the community. Community-engaged scholarship (CES) addresses community needs through research, teaching and service in a mutually beneficial partnership. The quality and impact of CES are determined by academic peers and community parnters.

Community-Engaged Service: The application of one's professional expertise that addresses a community-identified need and supports the goals and mission of the University and the community. Community-engaged service may entail the delivery of expertise, resources, and service to the community.

Community-Engaged Teaching/Learning: A pedagogical approach that connects students and faculty with activities that address community-identified needs through mutually beneficial partnerships that deepen student's academic and civic learning. Examples are service-learning courses or service-learning clinical practica. 

Community-Engaged Research: a collaborative process between the researcher and community partner that creates and disseminates knowledge and creative expression with the goal of contributing to the discipline and strengthening the well-being of the community. Community-engaged research (CER) identifies the assets of all stakeholders and incorporates them in the design and conduct of the difference phases of the research process.  

VCU has adopted an institution-wide definition of community engagement and related terminology (community, partnership, community-engaged scholarship, research, service, teaching/learning, community outreach, partnership, and community). These definitions were developed and approved through a process initiated by the Council for Community Engagement, approved through various VCU committees and eventually by the President's cabinet.