Community engaged universities prepare students to participate in societies in ways that are inclusive. This book presents a coherent argument for higher education institutions not only to encourage students to engage in their communities, but also to develop themselves as community engaged institutions. Analyzing the design and implementation of community engaged teaching and learning practices, author Thomas Bryer explores training in democratic practices and envisions a future in which higher education institutions are better prepared to cope with democratic backsliding. Teaching and professional development cases are woven throughout—developed, adapted, and enhanced by the author over a period of years—and grounded in the great debates happening today. Integrating Community Engagement in Public Affairs Education is a culmination of multiple years of experimentation with different approaches to teaching future and practicing public sector leaders the tools of democratic engagement. The text is grounded in a case‑based design that spans undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. students, as well as local government managers, offering concrete examples of teaching and learning strategies that promote public value and measurable social impact. The book closes with practical strategies for publicly engaged scholars to effectively educate the next generation of students about democratic engagement within divided communities. It will be required reading for public administration faculty, as well as practicing public administrators and those who provide training to them.

Table of Contents:
1 Purpose and Overview; PART I The Community Engaged University 2 Public Value and the University; 3 Social Impact and the University; 4 Politics of University Social Impact in Democracies; PART II Case Studies in Community Engaged Teaching and Learning 5 Introduction to Cases; 6 Students as Professional Citizens; 7 Deliberative Public Problem Solving; 8 Conversing with Strangers about Institutional Racism; 9 Discovering Solutions to Maximize COVID‑19 Vaccine Participation through Public Conversation; 10 Building New Dialogues about Critical Race Theory in Divided Communities; 11 Coproducing Community Conversations on Divisive Issues; 12 Synthesis of Findings across Cases; PART III Case Studies on Professional Development for Democratic Renewal in Divided Communities 13 Strengthening Democracy in Cities and Counties: An Introduction; 14 Combating Disinformation in Local Governments; 15 Preparing Relationally Intelligent Local Government Managers; PART IV Reflections for the Future 16 Future of Community‑Engaged Teaching and Learning: Public Value, Social Impact, and Politics; 17 Strategies for the Community‑Engaged University; Appendix 1: Syllabus for Public Service Leadership; Appendix 2: Final Issue Maps (Public Service Leadership); Appendix 3: Syllabus for Deliberative Public Problem Solving; Appendix 4: Deliberative Public Problem Solving: Sample Issue Map; Appendix 5: Syllabus for MPA Capstone (Fall 2020); Appendix 6: Syllabus for MPA Capstone (Spring 2021); Appendix 7: Syllabus for MPA Capstone (Fall 2021); Appendix 8: Syllabus for MPA Capstone (Fall 2022)