Collaboratory captures an institution’s community-based activities and organizes them into a framework that institutions (and the faculty and staff within them) can leverage for reporting, storytelling, and community-level change. It is important for faculty and staff to capture their engagement in Collaboratory as a way to showcase their efforts and connections to community, while also being a part of their institution’s larger story of engagement.
There is no one standard way to engage with community. As such, Collaboratory encourages faculty and staff to enter all of their community engagement and public service activities, recognizing that the ways individuals, groups, and institutions engage in community exists on a spectrum. For additional information about the spectrum of engagement, see How do Community Engagement and Public Service Differ?
The following types of community-based work can be entered into Collaboratory. However, this is not an exhaustive list! If your work involves community partners or community members, chances are it belongs in Collaboratory!
Curricular Engagement
Service-learning, course-based internships, practicum/clinical experiences
Co-Curricular Engagement
Days of service, student organization/Greek life community service, civic engagement
Engaged Faculty Research + Scholarship
Grant-funded projects, community-based research
Community + Economic Development
Workforce development, community facilitation, social entrepreneurship
Community Outreach + Resources
Camps, clinics, exhibits, performances
HEADS UP! For questions about data entry or if your work belongs in Collaboratory, please reach out to your campus’s Collaboratory administrator(s).
You can also connect with the Collaboratory team using the chat feature in your portal or emailing [email protected].