Classroom as Platform and Community Engagement

Since coming to Rollins College in 2003, I've been deeply engaged in community history. When I began this process, I was not thinking about it in terms of Community Engagement, instead I was thinking about it in the framework of public history. In particular, I was especially concerned with collect community stories through oral history projects linked with community partners such as the Winter Park Historical Association. Over the years my partners have expanded to include the Winter Park Public Library, Hannibal Square Heritage Center and the Hannibal Square Community Land Trust. These links allow me to align the course content with the community in way that bolster student learning.  This is no simple task, but it is an important process.