Professor Spotlight: Courtney Powers — Preparing Students for Success Through Community-Based Learning

For Courtney Powers, Assistant Professor of Corporate and Health Communication at UW–Whitewater, Community-Based Learning (CBL) has always been a natural part of teaching. Long before she knew there was an official name for the approach, she was creating opportunities for students to work with real organizations and solve real communication challenges.

With a background in organizational communication, Powers teaches a variety of communication courses that include team building, leadership skills, conflict resolution, and professional communication development. She believes these skills are effectively acquired when students can apply classroom concepts in authentic professional settings.

One aspect that makes her courses especially unique is her successful integration of Community-Based Learning into asynchronous online learning environments.
In COMM 427, students work in small teams to conduct research-based needs analyses for community partners. After presenting their findings and receiving client feedback, they develop professional training materials tailored to the organization's specific needs.

In COMM 417, students partner with a nonprofit organization each semester, such as Fairhaven Senior Services or Whitewater Friends of the Library. Teams analyze each organization's public-facing communication, complete a research-based SWOT analysis, and deliver strategic communication recommendations designed to strengthen the nonprofit's community engagement.

Although every semester brings new experiences, several community partnerships stand out. Working with Brian Robinson from Fairhaven became Powers's first Community-Based Learning partnership and remains one of her most memorable collaborations. The success of that project helped establish Fairhaven as a recurring community partner. She also reflects fondly on working with Sarah French, whose collaboration in both courses demonstrated how even a small group of students can create a meaningful, lasting impact for an organization.

One of the most rewarding moments for Powers comes at the end of each semester. Many students share that the experience will benefit them throughout their careers, while community partners express appreciation for the thoughtful, research-based work students provide. "It's so rewarding and affirming to see the meaningful takeaways for both students and our CBL partners.”

She also emphasizes that strong community partnerships are key to creating successful learning experiences, noting that Whitewater and the surrounding communities offer many outstanding organizations eager to collaborate. She notes that "they help bring the projects to life. Faculty should consider joining CBL to show their students how learning experiences matter for their professional lives. It shows theory in action."