Engaged Pluralism

Learning Groups

Learning Groups are functional groups through Engaged Pluralism that create environments where members are agents of change through informed practices.

Informed practices are processes that identify problems addressed through research, community engagement, readings, and skill development before, during and after taking action to address the problem. We center learning as an active practice that is multimodal and multidimensional and that culminates in action over time. Learning groups may include organizing around skill-building, tasks/projects, or causes. We agree that all of these orientations are important and necessary to the ethos of EP. Learning Groups are composed of all levels of employees and students at the College. This includes but is not limited to students of all class years, faculty at all ranks, administrators at all levels and staff of all classifications.

The Groups

A very large room with wood-paneled walls and windows. An event is taking place here. In the foreground, a person with glasses and black hair in two buns is writing on a whiteboard, they’re back to the viewer. The whiteboard has a handwritten title at the top reading “What should future founder’s days look like?” Below it are written suggestions in different handwriting. In the background, a group of people sit at a table.

Race & Racism in Historical Collections

The Race & Racism in Historical Collections Learning Group was formed in Fall 2021 to work with the Vassar Library to describe, contextualize, and provide access to Vassar’s history, as represented in our historical collections, ethically and honestly.

A grid of photos. Each shows a student standing against a wall, smiling and holding a hand-lettered sign with a word on it. Words include “Exploration”, “Better Together”, “Collaboration”, and “Growth”.

Inclusive Pedagogies

The Inclusive Pedagogy and Curriculum learning group envisions Vassar as a space where pedagogy can be holistically reimagined and where students might play a greater role in developing inclusive pedagogies with faculty partners.

A billboard stands in a wooded, sunlit area. The billboard displays several monochrome abstract images of hands. Below is the text “Artist: Finn Smith”, followed by “billboardgallery.vassarspaces.net”.

Building Community Through the Arts

The Arts Learning Group strives to foster more inclusive participation in the Arts at Vassar.

Bridging Campus and Local Communities

Bridging Campus and Local Communities works to invigorate our critical understanding and practice of community partnership.

Racial Healing @ Vassar

Formerly “Life @ Vassar,” the objective of Racial Healing @ Vassar is to promote awareness, understanding, and healing around issues of race and racism.

Global Campus

The Engaged Pluralism Global Campus and Studies Working Group is focused on creating opportunities for transformative encounters and exchanges among the global community that is Vassar.

Movement for Affordable Textbooks

Movement for Affordable Textbooks is made up of concerned faculty, students, and administrators who are working together to address the high cost of textbooks and other course materials for Vassar students.

Accessibility Working Group

As a new group, we’re still in the process of defining who we are but plan to focus on outreach and education.