Community Engagement
My Why:
Community is at the heart of everything I do. Integrating service learning into my practice is not just a teaching strategy; it is a fundamental approach to ensure that students understand the context and the people they are designing for. By engaging directly with communities, students gain valuable insights into the real-world challenges and needs of the people they serve. This hands-on experience fosters a sense of responsibility and empathy, encouraging students to consider the social, economic, and environmental impacts of their engineering solutions. Through service learning, I aim to cultivate engineers who are not only technically skilled but also deeply committed to creating sustainable and equitable solutions that benefit society as a whole.
See Service Learning in ACTION!
Community Engagement With All:
Engaging with all types of organizations in the community is essential to making positive, sustainable change. Among these, faith-based organizations hold a significant influence, particularly within communities of color. Recognizing their vital role, I organized a forum in March 2024 to highlight the impactful work these organizations are doing. This event brought together leaders from various faith-based groups to share their initiatives, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration. By fostering these connections, we aim to leverage the strengths of these organizations to address pressing community issues collectively. The forum was a resounding success, showcasing the power of unity and shared purpose in driving meaningful change. You can view photos from the event HERE.
Service Learning in Environmental Engineering
Integrating the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) framework with service learning offers a transformative approach to engineering education. By embedding sustainability principles into the curriculum, students are empowered to take action directly from the classroom to effect positive change in their communities. Service learning projects under the EOP framework involve students in real-world problem-solving, such as designing eco-friendly infrastructure or developing renewable energy solutions for local needs. These projects not only enhance technical skills but also instill a deep sense of responsibility and awareness about environmental and social impacts. By bridging classroom learning with community action, we prepare students to become proactive engineers who are equipped to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow, making a lasting positive impact on society and the planet.
See my Specific Projects in action...
See me in Action....
