Civic engagement is topic of Teaching and Learning Conference

The annual SUNY Fredonia Teaching and Learning Conference with the theme, “Redeeming the American Dream: Universities and the Future of Democracy,” will be held Tuesday, Sept. 23, with Dr. Harry Boyte as the featured speaker.

The conference, open to SUNY Fredonia faculty and staff, will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Williams Center Room S-104. Lunch will be provided and registration is required. 

Dr. Boyte is the founder of the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at the University of Minnesota and is described as one of the great intellectual leaders of the civic engagement movement. He is the author of “Everyday Politics,” and a number of other books and articles.

He recently completed the book, “The Citizen Solution: How You can Make a Difference,” which addresses the topic of civic agency or how people can become agents and architects of their own lives, shapers of their communities, and collaborators with others on common challenges. Within the book are stories of students learning civic skills and habits of effective, collaborative public action.

The second annual conference begins with coffee and refreshments, with the program starting promptly at 9 a.m., and is sponsored by Academic Affairs division and the Professional Development Center under the direction of Dr. Lea Ann “Beez” Schell. Dr. Schell encourages the campus community to consider attending a portion of the event even if they can’t commit to the entire day of activities.