Albertus Magnus College is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a three-year, $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The Humanities Connections grant will support the development of the College’s innovative urban studies program that employs a multi-disciplinary approach to expand students’ understanding of urban life. Albertus faculty from the humanities, social sciences, and the Tagliatela School of Business and Leadership will work in partnership to develop and implement this new model for engaged liberal arts education in the 21st Century. The program is designed around increased team teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to foster empathy, strengthen humanistic understanding, and advance the students’ academic and professional interests.
“Albertus Magnus College is committed to providing an interdisciplinary education rooted in the liberal arts, preparing students to make meaningful and practical contributions to our society,” said Albertus President, Dr. Marc M. Camille. “The urban studies program made possible through this NEH grant will equip students with a deep understanding of the complexity of urban life that they can apply through practical, hands-on experiential learning opportunities in the New Haven community and beyond.”
A highlight of the curriculum will be the integration of experiential learning opportunities created through community partnerships and civic engagement.
“There are multiple ways in which our faculty make a difference in our students’ lives. Extending themselves to develop the grant and to craft its vision are among the most important,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Sean P. O’Connell. “Dr. Waggoner and his colleagues exemplify the College’s commitment to excellent instruction that speaks to our contemporary world.”
The project co-directors will be Dr. Matthew Waggoner, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and Dr. Ross Edwards, associate dean of Academic Affairs and assistant professor of Political Science.
“With the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities,” stated Dr. Waggoner, “we are able to advance the College’s mission of promoting ethical engagement and experiential learning rooted in the liberal arts tradition and our Dominican values of community, service, study, and contemplation. The result will be an expansion of meaningful personal and professional outlets for students to become active, responsible citizens.”
In the current academic year, Albertus Magnus College received two other significant Federal grants, $300,000 from the Department of Justice and a $2 million Title III grant from the Department of Education.