Engaged learning at the University of Michigan is a co-curricular approach where students actively participate in meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect classroom theory to real-world practice at the local, nation, and global levels. Through service learning, community partnerships, global collaboration, and more, engaged learning cultivates active citizens who are committed to positive social change.
This site is dedicated to promoting these two intertwined threads at the University of Michigan:
- Interdisciplinary work that crosses our academic disciplines and brings together multiple modes of thought and approaches to knowing; and
- Engagement of our faculty, staff, and students with authentic stakeholders in our work, to both inform and guide the work with these stakeholders’ own knowledge and understanding and to realize their own opportunities through the conduct of the work.
Twenty-first-century problems will not be solved with twentieth-century skills alone or within traditional academic disciplinary domains in the ivory tower.
Faculty, staff, students, and community members all play a critical role in addressing these challenges and making our world better. We all share a commitment to positive change pursued in partnership — across the disciplines, with the community, and around the world.
“Being able to think critically and apply knowledge in the real world is what engaged learning is all about. We prioritize an environment where students can develop the skills needed to become engaged,lifelong learners and leaders in their fields. Through engaged learning initiatives, we have created a community of students who are committed to making a positive impact on society and who can contribute to the development of their fields of study through research and creative projects.”
– Valeria Bertacco, Vice Provost for Engaged Learning