People. Purpose. Public Impact.

Monday, June 9, 2025

From Research to Real-Life

Hi all, 

It’s a tough time in higher education. As policy changes challenge long-standing beliefs and norms, we are also witnessing a moment when public sentiment no longer aligns with the value we know higher education provides. I’ve long believed that the best way to make that value more visible is by showing up in communities and working alongside them. When students engage directly with the public, they not only make meaningful contributions and gain essential learning benefits, they also create space for the public to see and feel the relevance of higher education in their own lives. Strong learning environments are not confined to classrooms or campus. They extend into communities, respond to lived experience, and help students develop the skills needed to make a real difference.

This month’s newsletter highlights what engaged learning, originally described as “practical engagement,” looks like in practice. Matthew Bui’s research on data justice is grounded in community partnerships and explores how digital platforms reflect and reshape equity in cities like Detroit. Our Civic User Testing (CUT) Group brings students together with residents to improve public technology through hands-on collaboration. The Research Experience Development Program (REDP) is expanding opportunities for non-PhD students to partner on original research that drives impact locally and around the world.

Librarianship is inherently rooted in community engagement, and that tradition has remained strong as we have expanded into new fields of study. When I was a student here, it was the work of Joan Durrance and Paul Resnick with the Community Information Corps that first sparked my passion for the public-facing scholarship that has shaped my career. That early inspiration stayed with me, and as a new faculty member, I was proud to see the school deepen its commitment by investing in the Citizen Interaction Design program, which has since supported nearly 150 community projects across the state of Michigan. That commitment grew with the creation of the Engaged Learning Office (ELO), which helps us all bring meaningful community experiences to our students. I talk to many colleagues at other colleges and universities, and very few have a group of dedicated professionals like we do in the ELO. Many, in fact, are quite envious.

But it’s not just the Engaged Learning Office that drives this work. They may be the tip of the iceberg, but many people across UMSI help bring our students into the world. The Career Development Office puts tremendous effort into preparing students through its internship program. Faculty are thoughtful in designing experiences and integrating engaged learning practices into their courses. Our Marketing and Communications team helps highlight student work in the field, ensuring it is seen and celebrated. In one way or another, everyone at UMSI contributes to engaged learning. As we approach our 100th anniversary, this shared commitment reaffirms that engaged learning is not only a long-held value but a foundational element of what makes our school unique and successful.

As I talk to alumni, employers, experts, and individuals about how we should prepare students for the future, I hear the same feedback time and again: we need problem solvers. People who can navigate ambiguity, take on complex challenges and effectively communicate solutions with clarity. Having students work on real-world problems, in real communities, alongside people with real needs is, in my view, the best way to build those skills. Our coursework, of course, will always serve as a strong base, but the engaged learning we offer is critical to preparing students for the challenges ahead.

Public engagement isn’t extra. It’s essential. It’s one of the most effective ways to keep learning relevant, research actionable, and our community connected to the world we aim to serve. It also helps counter the caricature of higher education for those who do not interact with the university regularly. It is the rising tide that lifts all boats.

Thank you for being part of that mission.

Best,

Cliff Lampe, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs