From Individuals to Neighbors: Growth through Embracing Positionality

Authors

Joy L. Hart, University of LouisvilleFollow
Andrea Radasanu, Northern Illinois UniversityFollow
Rebecca C. Bott-Kutson, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Jonathan D. Kotinek, Texas A & M University - College StationFollow

Date of this Version

2024

Document Type

Article

Citation

Journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council (2024) 25(1): 35–40

Abstract

Drawing inspiration from Dr. Ada Long’s (1995) presidential address, the authors describe an experience that facilitates neighborhood-building among honors educators and students across the nation as well as a neighborhood approach to understanding social problems. Focusing on food justice in the first year of the Justice Challenge, honors students learn about community needs, develop leadership and partnership skills, and collaborate with community members through an array of opportunities. Throughout the academic year, individual positionality shifts through deeper engagement with multiple viewpoints and facilitates new approaches for collaboration toward effectively addressing thorny problems. Cultivation of such connections is central in revitalizing neighborhoods and meeting the challenges that Long encouraged honors educators to consider nearly three decades ago.