Professional Development

What is it?

Professional development in community engagement at Purdue focuses on expanding knowledge and skills related to broader impact and the scholarship of engagement. Led by Dr. Jason Ware, these efforts include workshops, consultations, communities of practice, and grant opportunities all designed to integrate engagement into research, teaching, and service. These offerings aim to help faculty better understand and practice meaningful, community-centered work that reflects Purdue’s land-grant mission.

How does it affect me?

Whether you are a faculty member preparing for promotion, a researcher building community partnerships, or someone curious about integrating engagement into your academic work, these opportunities provide practical and tailored support. One-on-one consultations can guide you through logic models, proposal development, and promotion documents. Monthly Community of Practice meetings foster collaboration and peer learning, while upcoming online modules offer flexible learning options that fit your schedule.

Why are we doing it?

Purdue’s mission includes a strong commitment to engagement and public impact. This professional development initiative is a response to the growing recognition that community-engaged work is essential to solving real-world problems and advancing academic scholarship. By supporting faculty in this area, the Office of Engagement is helping to build a stronger, more responsive university that values knowledge co-creation and measurable community outcomes.

How can I get involved?

You can get involved in several ways. Start by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Ware to discuss your goals and explore resources. Attend the Community of Practice meetings throughout the academic year to learn from peers and develop your project ideas. Watch for the launch of the edX-based online engagement modules, where you can earn a certificate or explore topics of interest at your own pace. If you’re ready to dive into a collaborative research project, consider applying for the CERI Grant, which provides funding and structured support from August 2025 to August 2026.

---

Pillar One: Scholarship of Engagement Fellows Program

This program helps tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty learn about the scholarship of engagement, document their impact, and evaluate their impact. It is offered both online and in person starting January 2026.

Pillar Two: Broader Impact Fellows Program

This program helps tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty focus on broader impact in their work. It supports faculty in adding broader impact to teaching, research, and engagement; strengthening grant proposals; enhancing impact in communities; and seeking foundation funding. It is offered both online and in person starting January 2026.

Pillar Three: Engagement Community of Practice

This community brings together faculty who are interested in engagement. It supports professional development in both broader impact (BI) and the scholarship of engagement (SoE). The focus is on weaving BI and SoE into teaching, research, and engagement. This program begins in October 2025.

Each Community of Practice session is the first Wednesday of the month. The session topics for the rest of the academic year are:

• November 5 (2025) — What Questions Are You Sitting with about Engagement?
• December 3 (2025) — Sharing Ideas, Stories, and Resources about Community Engagement
• February 4 (2026) — Integrating Engagement Across the Mission Areas
• March 4 (2026) — Resources Panel: Community Connections, Instruction, Funding, Project Evaluation
• April 1 (2026) — CoP-Informed Special Topics

Register for the Community of Practice sessions today!

Pillar Four: Presentations, Workshops, and Consultations

Faculty, departments, and promotion committees can request customized workshops, presentations, or one-on-one consultations. These sessions help strengthen understanding of engagement, broader impact, the scholarship of engagement, and how engagement can support promotion or tenure.

---

Need More Information?