Springfield College Collaboration With the Springfield Public Schools and Neighboring Community

Abstract

For the past 7 years, Springfield College (Springfield, MA) has reinvigorated attempts within the divisions of academic and student affairs to develop collaborative efforts with the Springfield Public Schools and the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the college. The humanics philosophy of the college emphasizes provision of opportunities that will challenge and educate our student in spirit, mind, and body to be of service to others. This philosophy provides the foundation for the expansion of curricular and cocurricular activities that are the components of small to large collaborative efforts with the community. This article provides an overview of the college's humanics philosophy, the history of the college's recent outreach, a description of the development of the broad spectrum of college-community collaborative efforts, and the results of these efforts. Also included is a description of the infrastructure and logistical support that has been institutionalized among the collaborators to sustain these activities.