Land-grant University Strategic Plans: Are University-level Service-learning Goals Aligned with Construction Programs’ Goals?

ABSTRACT Community engagement within the construction classroom has the potential to enhance student learning while also fostering strong community relationships and meeting some of society’s most pressing needs. These activities afford students the opportunity to directly apply concepts learned in the classroom. Other outcomes include improved communication, teamwork, and the development of civic responsibility. Civic engagement through service learning qualifies as a high impact educational practice (HIP), and construction students have many options available through their applied discipline. Because of the complementary benefits to both students and the community, many universities include civic engagement as a goal in strategic plans. However, to realize successful implementation, goals at the university level need to follow through to the strategic plan goals of individual units. Starting with 106 land-grant institutions, 36 are identified as housing construction programs. Online research was conducted regarding strategic and unit-level plans, and follow-up interviews were held with 12 of the 36 schools. Results confirm and expand on the gap identified in previous research between university strategic plans and unit-level plans. With relatively small shifts, construction programs have the potential to improve student learning, the academic experience, meet community needs, and align with university strategic plans.