MIGRATION SERVICES IN CHICAGO:
KIPHART CHALLENGE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING COURSE

In this team-based experiential learning course, students will be matched with community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve migrants in Chicago, with the collaborative goal of developing a policy proposal responsive to organizational objectives. Through this applied learning experience, students will: grapple with the context of service provision for migrants, learn how to conduct organizational power analyses, develop collaborative relationships responsive to power dynamics, engage in resource mapping, co-design policies, building on organizational strengths and community resources, and present their work product to the community. Student engagement in this course will serve as a forum for the development of skills including: assessment of power and positionality, interpersonal communication, healthy team dynamics and conflict resolution, analysis of organizational resources, policy design, and presentation development. The course will include a presentation of the policy design to a panel of judges: the winning team securing a $1,000 donation for their CBO partner. Due to the collaborative nature of this course, and the priority of centering community perspectives, students are asked to commit to a set of guiding values: respect and curiosity, self-awareness & accountability, flexibility & punctuality, & confidentiality. Trust is built over time and these values will help foster a relationship where this growth is possible.