Appointment of Special Advisor
Feb. 2023
Principal Patrick Deane appoints Special Advisor on Community Engagement.
Environmental scans
Mar. - Nov. 2023
The Special Advisor's team conducted literature reviews of Canadian and American universities for their community engagement initiatives. The team identified undergraduate and graduate courses at Queen's including community enagement.
Course review
July 2023 - Jan. 2024
Every undergraduate and graduate course at Queen's was reviewed for offering community engagement opportunities.
Community Engagement Council
Fall 2023
Twenty-three Queen's faculty and staff members formed the Principal's Advisory Council for Community Engagement.
Planning for assessment and evaluation
2024
Subcommittees held 21 meetings, and the full Council met four times to advance and give feedback on new community engagement initiatives.
Community Engagement Framework launched
Fall 2025
After inviting partners to provide feedback on its collective approach to community engagement, Queen's launched its Community Engagement Framework.
Bridging Campus and Community: Collaborating for Impact
Oct. 1, 2025
Bridging Campus and Community: Collaborating for Impact marked the official launch of the Queen’s Community Engagement Framework, a new institutional guide designed to strengthen collaboration across campus and with local, national, and global partners. The framework and related resources were highlighted at the event and made available throughout this site, with the goal of providing tools and guidance to support meaningful partnerships. Another highlight was posters that brought to life across disciplines. To learn more about the event, read the Queen's Gazette article.
Next steps
Developing a Community Engagement Record to allow students to systematically track their community engagement activities while identifying and reflecting on professional skills developed while attending Queen’s.
| Step | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Record your community engagement: Input your involvement with communities through coursework, extracurriculars, and research. |
| 2 |
Develop your professional skills: Take a professional skill self-assessment to identify your strength and growth areas. |
| 3 |
Learn how to engage ethically: Learn how to engage ethically with the community and avoid the pitfalls that can occur by watching video modules. |
| 4 |
Set goals to grow: Make progress on your skill development by setting annual personal and professional goals. |
| 5 |
Reflect on your impact: Complete reflection exercises to recognize your motivations and track your professional skill development. |
| 6 |
Download your record: Download your record, a portfolio of your community engagement, to show employers your professional skills and experience. |
We are currently establishing an interdisciplinary certificate available to all undergraduate students that focuses on sustainability and community engagement. This certificate will be granted upon completion of online course that introduces students to the SDGs and to collaboration, problem-solving approaches, and community engagement.
| Step | Part | Learning Outcomes | Courses & Credits | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction |
|
1 course (3.00 units) |
Online |
| 2 | Structured learning |
|
2 courses (6.00 units) | Online or in-person |
| 3 | Team-based learning |
|
2 courses (6.00 units) | Online or in-person |
| 4 | Capstone or mentorship |
|
1 course (3.00 units) | Online or in-person |
The following modules on community engagement and UN SDG are under development, and will be made available to students:
- Module 1: Introduction to Community Engagement and SDGs
- Module 2: Ethics, Engagement, and I-EDIAA
- Module 3: Team and Partner Relations
- Module 4: Methods for Engagement and Understanding
- Module 5: Communication and Knowledge Mobilization
- Module 6: Design Thinking and Problem Solving
In the media
Dec 03, 2025
A new look for the largest library on campus
The main floor of the Joseph S. Stauffer Library has been fully renovated to be more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive than ever before.
Dec 02, 2025
Healthy meals at home
A new student-driven initiative provides graduate and professional students nutritious meals and helps them learn strategies for affordable food preparation.
Dec 01, 2025
Queen’s community finds connection during Thrive Week 2025
Employees engaged in diverse wellness sessions and learning opportunities offered throughout this annual campus wide initiative.