The role of the UVM Office of Engagement and Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships is to support partnership development between faculty and communities to foster and build mutually beneficial relationships. In partnership with UVM’s Community Engaged Learning Office, we are piloting opportunities to deepen partnerships to support mutual benefits for students, faculty, and communities. 

Faculty Fellowship in Flood Resilience 

During the 2024-2025 academic year, faculty interested in developing service-learning and community-engaged learning courses that center around supporting community resilience to flooding in Vermont will be invited to participate in a professional development opportunity that provides a baseline training in community-engaged learning, and provides opportunities for partnership development across Vermont in the flood recovery and resilience spaces. Four faculty are currently participating in the program, which will conclude in June 2025 with a half-day symposium that supports professional development within the domain of flood resilience.