Community Partners in Community-Engaged Learning

We welcome your partnership with St. John Fisher University’s students and faculty through community-engaged learning projects.

Our partnerships are designed in collaboration to meet community needs and the academic goals of a course. The activities within CEL courses aim to build capacity for the community partner—either enhancing the work they are already doing, or creating an opportunity for the partner to do something new. The outcomes might include:

  • Direct service where students are on-site, participating in work and services.
  • A product or deliverable that students provide to the partner at the end of the project.

We are always eager to hear from potential community partners about opportunities or needs. The Institute team works to facilitate connections between organizations and professors in relevant fields. Planning for CEL courses usually begins 9-12 months in advance. Please contact us to discuss opportunities.

Project Examples

Legal Research

Students in Legal Research and Analysis courses partnered with LawNY to conduct research on a variety of topics, including employment status and background checks for individuals with criminal records; vacant properties and compliance with the Reinvestment Act in low-income, red-lined areas; and the accessibility of interpretation services in court proceedings.

Water and Soil Analysis

In Analytical Chemistry courses, students conducted water quality analyses to obtain data on lead, phosphorous, and pollutants within the creeks of Ganondagan State Historic Site property, and chemical soil analyses in community gardens at Wide Water Gardens and St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Palliative Care Support

Students offer 16 hours of support to patients, families, and staff at local comfort care homes through the School of Nursing's Palliative and End of Life Care course.

Written Histories
  • In Community-Based Writing, students interviewed residents living at Valley Manor Senior Life Community and presented memoirs summarizing their stories and experiences to the individuals and their families.
  • Students in a Cardinal Experience course, Writing Church History, are producing a small publication about the history of the Memorial AME Zion Church.

Promotional Plans

Small groups of students in Promotions Management, a course offered at the School of Business, partner with local non-profit organizations and businesses to develop a promotional plan. They conclude the partnership with a professional presentation and written report.