Linda Saborio
When it comes to engaged learning, Associate Professor Linda Saborio doesn’t only talk the talk—she walks the walk. That’s why her colleagues from the Department of Foreign Language and Literatures nominated her to be recognized as an engaged learning exemplar for her outstanding commitment to engaged learning, teaching and scholarship.
Saborio encourages her students to participate in engaged learning because it provides them with the opportunity to explore areas of their discipline outside the classroom space, to question and discover new concepts, and to test new skills.
“Each semester, I take my entire class to the Mexican bakery located adjacent to campus. Students interact with the owner and learn about the variety of baked goods he offers. Often the owner will discuss the significance of certain baked goods, especially as they relate to particular events or holidays,” says Saborio.
Stretching farther afield, Saborio received a grant to travel to Costa Rica where she had the opportunity to visit several nonprofit organizations offering internship opportunities to students.
“I was able to identify several opportunities for students to travel abroad, practice their second language skills and participate in community efforts to improve their environment,” she adds.
“Students see the value in reaching out to our local community members and collaborating with them,” says Saborio. “They discover their own potential to have an impact on our society, and they develop a ‘can-do’ attitude, which in turn leads to greater confidence as well as a nice boost in leadership skills.”
Join Saborio, along with other faculty, staff and students for the first Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship Conference. This new event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, and uncovers and recognizes the faculty perspective of collaborations with students and community partners. Several faculty and staff will present on best practices in engaged learning, teaching and scholarship in the Holmes Student Center. All are welcome to attend; registration is open online.
Co-sponsors of the Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship Conference are the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning; the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development; the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center; the College of Business Experiential Learning Center; and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
For more information, call 815-753-8154 or email rkersh@niu.edu.
