ThinqStudio

The university has a wealth of expertise that is sorely needed in communities across the state of Colorado. In expanding UC Denver’s influence, solidifying its identity, and fulfilling its aspirations of becoming a tier 1 urban research university, this session will explore both the great potential of and the possible pitfalls surrounding service learning/community outreach. Some of the educational paradigms allowing faculty research to be merged with coursework to create a powerful learning experience for students while assisting communities attempting to address problems with innovative and unconventional solutions will be discussed and explored. This informal presentation conversation will be guided by a discussion utilizing the city of Walsenburg, Colorado as a case study for conceptualizing both the complexity of working with a community as well as the powerful potential these types of relationships provide in equipping our students to meet the challenges of a complex 21st century world.