Community-Based Learning

Fostering public good through art, science and industry

Lessons of Da Land: Alum Alexis Wiley created this hands-on co-curricular program to explore food sovereignty and land justice issues in Black Philadelphia.

Alum Alexis Wiley created Lessons of Da Land, a hands-on program about food sovereignty and land justice issues in Black Philadelphia.

Drexel College of Arts and Sciences students don’t just study the issues affecting the world — they study alongside the people affected. Each term, the College encourages students to become effective change agents by participating with non-profits, government and citizen activists through community-based learning courses: After Hurricane Maria; Community Read; Connections in Biology; Justice in Our Community; Prison, Society and You; Writing for Social Change; Writers Room Experience and Story Medicine are just a few of the intensive options created by our faculty.

All first-year students at Drexel University are introduced to the concepts of civic engagement and social justice by taking CIVC 101, a foundational course designed by the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement. College of Arts and Sciences faculty work closely with the Lindy Center and the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships to build community connections and immersive academic experiences so that every student will recognize the benefits of public service to their education, their career and to society.

Dornsife Center Lindy Center CIVC 101 Current Courses

Community-Based Learning: Our Stories

Students discussing African small businesses in West Philly

'West Africa to West Philly' Course Connects Language With Community

A French course has brought together students and West Philadelphia's native French-speaking West African community, both in and out of the classroom. Students came from different majors and countries to speak and write in French with native speakers and consume Francophone West African works of literature and film in this community-based class.

Writers Room co-op student Jeremy D'Amico

Finding Your Place in the Community with Writers Room

When Jeremy D’Amico, political science ’24, decided to come to Drexel, he didn’t think much about what living in a city like Philadelphia would involve. He quickly became absorbed in his studies and paid little attention to the community surrounding campus—until he started a co-op with Writers Room.

Coco's Fire: the book authors and illustrators

Let’s Talk About Climate Anxiety

Lately, there has been a lot of talk all over the world about the birds and the bees — that is, how they are impacted by the environmentally devastating effects of climate change and how humans play a role in this process. Many of us want to know how we can voice those scary feelings about the health of our planet and then transform them into positive action. While it is an important and timely topic to discuss, sometimes having this talk can be a challenge, especially with children. So, the Academy reached out to children’s book authors Lena Champlin and Jeremy Wortzel to learn more about their work, Coco’s Fire: Changing Climate Anxiety Into Climate Action, and how we can start this very important conversation with our peers and young friends.

Akilah Chatman smiles outside in front of wetlands

Environmental Science Alum to Effect Change with Fulbright Fellowship

When people think of their childhood, they often remember their time spent outside. For Akilah Chatman, BS environmental science ’22, every day was a new adventure: climbing waterfalls, jumping from cliffs, exploring rainforests, befriending frogs and lizards, inspecting flora, gardening with their mother and so much more. Their grandparents’ beachfront restaurant offered ample time for Chatman to learn the ways of seaside life. Now, as a Drexel alum and Fulbright Fellow, Chatman is about to begin their next journey—to create and uplift a new green space in Cambodia.

Giant Swallowtail butterfly sticker created by Mary Donnelly, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Drexel in 2022.

Getting Creative in the Field

Mary Donnelly –who recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Drexel’s Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES) department — loves fieldwork. But instead of marshlands, forests, plains or deserts, Mary has been busy working right here in Philadelphia. Besides getting out into the field, her interests lie particularly in wildlife conservation. So, for her senior research project, Mary found a fun, collaborative way to do both while also sharing her findings with the community.

Community Partners

The list below is a brief overview of community partners dedicated to providing our students with immersive learning experiences.