HECUA Distinct Qualitles

10. “Ahead of the Times”
HECUA’s first program, The Crisis Colony, was born in the late 1960’s in a nation separate and unequal. The program took students out of the classroom and placed them in the community to learn from its members and organizations. This education concept has since inspired numerous other programs (international and domestic) and challenged higher education campuses around the nation to activate their civic missions and serve larger public purposes.

9. Partnership with Community
Central to our vision is partnering with exceptional community institutions and individuals. All HECUA domestic & international programs depend on community-based organizations to provide countless options for meaningful student work and learning. Community partners, in turn, request to have HECUA interns because we offer programmatic support and an intentional learning environment. In addition, our students stand out as hard workers who bring innovative ideas and energy.

8. Team Approach
When it comes to maintaining and strengthening our organization HECUA takes the team approach--incorporating voices from our staff, teaching faculty, board of directors, community partners and our alumni. Working together we continue to deliver excellent, multidimensional programs.

7. Dynamic Programming
Each semester HECUA programs are evaluated, enhanced and guided by pressing societal issues, student feedback, innovative literature and theory in the field, and the collaborative ideas received from our community partners.

6. Custom Programs
HECUA specializes in crafting dynamic custom programs that meet individual campus’ needs. We assist with program design and delivery, make connections to community members and organizations, as well as offer logistical support.

5. Complimenting Campus Work
HECUA programs compliment and augment what higher education institutions already provide. Programs go through rigorous curriculum integration with academic departments at our member schools and are recognized as unique opportunities that link theory and practice outside the classroom.

4. Outstanding Faculty
HECUA faculty members are conscientious people who don’t just teach social responsibility, they live it through their own scholarship and community involvement. They not only have a great deal of respect from their peers in their respective fields of expertise, but are well received in the local/urban communities with which they work.

3. Classroom Principles: Teaching-Learning Approach
This principle assumes there is no inherent superiority in a HECUA “classroom,” but that all people involved in an educational process bring valuable experiences and knowledge to share.

2. Classroom Principles: World views as a Social Construction
HECUA approaches world views as social constructions. Our programs explore knowledge as having historical, political, cultural and economic contexts. World views are not ethically neutral and may serve different people’s interests unequally.

1. Students
HECUA strives to empower students by equipping them with knowledge, practical skills, commitment, courage and hope! Many students complete our programs with the leadership, confidence and determination it takes to engage society and make a better world.