How We Do the Work
BU Wheelock’s community engagement work is rooted in authentic, lasting, reciprocal partnerships shaped by the communities we are a part of and serve. We are committed to advancing education and human development in collaboration with community members in pursuit of a more just and equitable society.
Centers, Institutes & Labs
BU Wheelock’s centers, institutes, and labs confront some of the most pervasive issues within the field of education and human development by providing practitioners and policymakers with tools and strategies rooted in cutting-edge research. Dedicated to impact through innovation, BU Wheelock faculty and staff work directly with our partners in local/district, state, national, and international communities to develop research partnerships, provide technical assistance and professional development, and build collaborative relationships to share resources. Learn more about BU Wheelock centers, institutes, and labs.
College Access & Student Success
The College Access & Student Success (CASS) Office at BU Wheelock is home to effective, collaborative, and student-centered outreach programs and research work that aims to improve educational outcomes for students traditionally underserved by higher education. CASS is committed to partnering with Boston Public Schools to make a difference in the academic futures of young people across the city. CASS programs support the Boston community by increasing academic and social-emotional readiness and creating opportunities for students to give back, and contribute significantly to BU Wheelock’s understanding of the impact of student- and community-oriented programming. Learn more about College Access & Student Success.
Donald D. Durrell Literacy Collaborative
The Donald D. Durrell Literacy Collaborative at Boston University serves students in grades 1–12 who experience difficulty with reading and writing in school. Literacy tutors are experienced educators who hold or are working toward graduate degrees in literacy. Learn more about the Literacy Collaborative.
Intergenerational Literacy Program
The Intergenerational Literacy Program (ILP) has provided no-cost language, literacy, and workforce education to immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking families in Massachusetts since 1989. A longstanding partnership between BU Wheelock and Chelsea Public Schools, ILP serves multiple generations of learners, fostering educational access, economic mobility, and family engagement. Learn more about the Intergenerational Literacy Program (ILP).
Jumpstart
BU Jumpstart partners with BU Wheelock students and local early childhood education communities to provide language, literacy, and social-emotional learning mentorship that focuses on the development of the child, their family, and the university student serving with this national organization as an AmeriCorps member. Through these program areas—school success, family involvement, and future teachers—Jumpstart works to create an environment of lifelong learning for children. Learn more about Jumpstart.
Professional Preparation Office
The Professional Preparation Office (PPO) collaborates with faculty and the greater Boston community to effectively prepare BU Wheelock students to enter education and human development professions. PPO provides coordinated services for field education and partners with communities to identify placement needs and ensure field education partnerships support partner community goals. PPO also conducts assessments and evaluations of programs, sites, and supervisors and supports students and alumni seeking professional licensure or certification so they can go on to be employed in partner districts and communities. Learn more about the Professional Preparation Office.
Learn More about Community Engagement at BU Wheelock
Are you a community partner looking to get involved with BU Wheelock’s community engagement and advocacy work? Reach out to the Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement (SPACE) Office at buspace@bu.edu to share your partnership priorities.