How Departments Can Get Graduate Students Engaged (1)
Karen Buhr, last year's President of the University of Minnesota's Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA) has done a study—supported by the Office for Public Engagement—of the ways departments can encourage the civic engagement of their graduate students, and how students can enhance their own engagement.
Civic engagement, in Karen's view (and in mine) means not just connections with the broader world outside the university. It also means active involvement with the university community itself. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has approximately 50,000 students, of whom about 15,000 are graduate or professional students, about 3,000 faculty, and perhaps 12,000 other employees. Thus we are, in ourselves, a medium-sized city of about 65,000 "citizens". Although our social and political organizations are different from "regular" cities, we struggle with many of the same issues: building friendships and communities, debating policies and resource allocations, providing services both economically and sensitively, recognizing difference and diversity, and interacting with the broader society.
Over the next several days, this blog will present Karen Buhr's study in serial fashion, beginning with the departmental perspective. I think it's a valuable collection of ideas about how universities and their graduate and professional students might go about about integrating public engagement into their regular activities, for education and for life.
Departments at the U are increasingly recognizing the importance of civic engagement to their graduate students. By becoming more civically engaged students receive a more holistic education and are better prepared for the challenging workplaces they will soon face. Departments often feel it is difficult to become more civically engaged because they do not have enough time or money. The good news is that there are a lot of simple ways you can get your students more engaged with their program, department, school, university and community that do not cost a lot of money.
Civic engagement is all about building links. Those links may be into the community, within your department or between undergraduate and graduate students. Find ways to build the links of community that help build a stronger university.
Below are some low cost, low time commitment suggestions to get your graduate students more engaged:
Got graduate students? Involve students in all research opportunities and special programs
Applying for a research grant? Do not forget the graduate students. Grad students can add breadth to your research and will greatly appreciate the opportunity to get more involved in “real research.� In addition they serve as powerful role models for undergraduate students. Involving both undergraduate and graduate students in research projects increases the opportunity for mentorship and will provide a valuable experience for both students. Give them the opportunity to get involved by including them in your projects, they will thank you for it later.
Involve students in summer programs
Many departments offer summer programs designed to recruit potential students into their discipline. Graduate students can be an essential component of any summer program. They can serve as knowledgeable assistants, role models, powerful advocates for the profession and the program, and will gain valuable experience that will help them in their future profession.
Some departments offer professional development courses for the community. Grad students can be powerful assets to these programs as well. In addition to the advantages listed above, students can help your department build ties into the community and will make important contacts that may help them find employment upon graduation.
When the media calls, do not forget your graduate students
Press events often pop up at the last minute and professors are often too busy to organize student participation. However, gaining experience in media relations is valuable for every graduate student. When the news team calls, remember your students.
Actively connecting your research to the community through the media is also important. Community significance is what puts a friendly face on the U and shows our value to the community. Put an interesting spin on your research and write a press release. Or better yet, have your graduate students write the press release. Give the world a chance to see what you are working on and why it is important.
To be continued...