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Thematic Initiatives and Community Engagement


 

Directed by Dr. Edmund "Tayloe" Gordon, Associate Vice President
The Office of Thematic Initiatives and Community Engagement focuses on two major areas:

  • Thematic Initiatives works to increase diversity through recruitment and retention of faculty and graduate students engaged in underrepresented subjects in pedagogy and research.
  • Community Engagement centers on promotion and coordination of services, pedagogy, and research for communities historically underserved by the university and encompasses several areas.

Programs in this portfolio include:

Indigenous Studies Initiatives Dr. Shannon Speed, Director
seeks to make the university a unique and outstanding center for engaged research and dialogue with indigenous peoples throughout the hemisphere through a collaborative project of an interdisciplinary core group of faculty from Liberal Arts, Education, Information Sciences, and Law that conducts a speakers series and offers a graduate portfolio in the M.A. and Ph.D. levels in Indigenous Studies

Engaged Research Incubator Dr. Shannon Speed, Director
... works to facilitate and strengthen collaborative university-community research projects toward greater social justice

 

Arts and Community Engagement (ACE) – Dr. Deborah Paredez, Director
…provides forums for exchange among and resources for the wide range of UT and Austin artists, activists, and scholars engaged in artistic work dedicated to facilitating community building and engagement; sponsors the Annual ACE Award, designed to honor an individual and/or group who has shown distinction in facilitating community exchange, engagement,
and empowerment in and through the arts

Volunteer and Service Learning Center Glen Baumgart, Director
…provides volunteer opportunities for university students, and recruits over 8,000 student volunteers each year for service projects; Strengthens healthy relationships between students and their communities; facilitates UT Student Volunteer Board and The Project Service Event, student organizations that promote and coordinate community engagement activities and events for the whole campus, and provide students opportunities to make a difference in the community and provides resources and logistical support for students interested or enrolled in service learning courses, for faculty currently teaching or desiring to teach a service learning course and for community agencies interested in partnering with UT faculty and service learning students.
 

Regional Foundation Library (RFL) – Allison Chandler Supancic, Director and Librarian
… provides comprehensive education and resources to all individuals and organizations involved in grant –making, grant-seeking and funding development  
 
Institute for Community, University and School Partnerships (ICUSP) – Dr. Kevin Foster, Director
… builds community partnerships to increase student achievement and college-readiness in students who typically would not consider college a viable option through research and services provided through an action research center and a faculty and student-based collaboration.


Gender and Sexuality Center Ixchel Rosal, Director
… provides a safe space for all members of the university community to explore, organize, and promote learning around issues of gender and sexuality and supports the needs of women and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) communities through education, outreach and advocacy

Multicultural Information CenterChoquette Peterson, Interim Director
… develops and prepares students for the multicultural society of today and the future by providing diverse educational opportunities and support services for all students; maintains a comprehensive scholarship index; aids individuals and organizations with event planning and fundraising; facilitates diversity workshops; provides outreach to Texas middle and high schools through tours and workshops; organizes the Multicultural Leadership Institute, a weeklong program where participants from of all walks of life work together to create a program designed to teach middle school students and their parents about preparing for college.

Thematic Initiatives and Community Engagement

Dr. Edmund "Tayloe" Gordon, Associate Vice President

Choquette Peterson, Executive Director/ Interim Director, Multicultural Information Center

Dr. Shannon Speed,Director for Engaged Research and the Indigenous Studies Initiative

Dr. Deborah Paredez, Director, Arts and Community Engagement

Glen Baumgart, Director, Volunteer and Service Learning Center

Ixchel Rosal, Director, Gender and Sexuality Center

Allison Chandler Supancic, Director and Librarian

Dr. Kevin Foster, Director, Institute for Community, University and School Partnerships

Mrs. Brenda Burt, Director of University Outreach

Mr. Freddie Dixon, Director of Community Outreach

 


  Updated February 04 2008
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