Remote Community Engagement in the Time of COVID-19, a Surging Racial Justice Movement, Wildfires, and an Election Year

Abstract

Due to wildfires in fall of 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in spring of 2020, Sonoma State University lost 50 service-learning courses, and as a result, almost 900 fewer students completed a service-learning course than the previous year. During the summer of 2020, the Center for Community Engagement began developing service-learning projects that were designed to be done remotely and address either COVID-19 or engage students with involvement in the fall 2020 election. Later, opportunities to address racial injustice and the wildfires were integrated. The opportunities described require active participation but remotely within the community; however, it is possible that students find it challenging to connect their remote experiences to real community need and academic and civic learning. The flexibility and creativity developed for remote service learning are essential in the ongoing adjustment to the changing needs of our students and community partner.