Reflections on the macquarie experience

Abstract

Because higher education institutions have inertia against significant and rapid change, it is noteworthy that new models for community engagement are emerging at all, but even more worthy of attention when the models seek to transform the whole institution and the learning outcomes of all graduates. The Macquarie University PACE project claims nothing less than being “the engine for institutional transformation." As such, it fits distinctively within a larger movement to draw upon community engagement as a defining element of institutional identity and educational mission. In the context of the Macquarie experience, the extent and scope of change-as well as the ambition for institutional transformation through community engagement-has been anything but short-sighted even as much more remains to be done. Drawing on the observations of all contributors, the purpose of this chapter is to provide an analysis of the Macquarie experience and the PACE program through an international scholarly lens, drawing on the framework of the highly influential Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement.