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WA S H I N G T O N A N D L E E U N I V E R S I T Y

Rooted & Rising Office of Community-Based Learning Annual Report 2025–2026

CONTENTS 3

Welcome

By the Numbers

Course Highlights

The CBL Collaborative

Scholars in Residence

Broadening Our Reach

Student Programs

Why CBL Is Meaningful

F RO M T H E D I R E C TO R

Community-Based Learning classes have expanded from seven courses taught in the 2020-2021 academic year to 75 in the 2025-2026 academic year. I did the math. That’s an increase of 971% in six years! Amazing! Curious about what natural phenomenon develops that rapidly, I discovered the story of the Chinese bamboo tree. When first planted, it lays dormant for four years. Watered and fertilized by attentive farmers, it doesn’t show any signs of growth until suddenly, in the fifth year, it sprouts and shoots up 8 feet in six weeks! Why? All that time, when outward growth wasn’t visible, it was developing an extensive underground root system – forming a strong foundation and network essential for growth. So, it’s the same for Community-Based Learning at Washington and Lee University. Our office has worked persistently and extensively to establish a solid network across the university with programs, departments, faculty, students, and administration, as well with businesses, nonprofits, and key stakeholders in the Lexington, Rockbridge, and Buena Vista community. If it weren’t for all of your support, enthusiasm, and genuine goodwill, this extremely wonderful growth would not have been possible. Thank you! Sascha Goluboff Director, Community-Based Learning Professor of Cultural Anthropology The CBL Team, from left to right: Bethany Ozorak | Associate Director, Sascha Goluboff | Director, Alessandra Del Conte Dickovick | Associate Director, and Judy Repair | Administrative Assistant

SIX YEARS OF GROWTH

What took root here. A Community-Based Learning (CBL) designation reflects a commitment from faculty and courses to partner with local, regional, or international organizations to create meaningful impact. These designations and community partnerships remain active and enduring, even if a specific course or partner does not participate every academic year.

If it weren’t for your support, enthusiasm, and genuine goodwill, this growth would not have been possible.

C U M U L AT I V E R E A C H T O D AT E

total community organizations in active partnership

faculty members engaged

3,000+

students

undergraduate classes, plus five law clinics

departments and programs

971% 4 | CBL ANNUAL REPORT

growth in CBL-designated courses across six academic years

C B L- D E S I G N AT E D C O U R S E S

BY THE NUMBERS 75

773

2020-2021 2025-2026

15 7

5 CBL-designated courses

Students

Faculty

Community organizations

Disciplines

CBL ANNUAL REPORT | 5

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Fall 2025 BUS 304E The News-Gazette Emily Landry

EDUC 230 Maury River Middle School Eric Moffa

ENGN 378 City of Buena Vista Mengying Liu

Consulting for Social Impact In Consulting for Social Impact, students partnered with The News-Gazette to benchmark ethical and sustainable practices, using the comprehensive assessment framework for Certified B Corps. Students evaluated strengths and weaknesses in five key areas of business practice, including customers, community, workers, environment, and governance.

Educating Citizens for Democracy Students in Educating Citizens for Democracy partnered with the after-school program “Youth Achieving Success” at Maury River Middle School. They worked in teams to develop lessons on social and civic skill-building. Activities focused on cooperation and communication through games, critical-thinking puzzles, and team building.

Engineering Capstone Design In the yearlong Engineering Capstone Design course, one team of students worked with the city of Buena Vista to develop a GIS model to identify vacant land within the city with high development potential. The model took into consideration topography, land cover, proximity to water and sewer, and quantity of contiguous lots, among other things, and ranked locations on one or more developability metrics. This information will be used to inform city investments in public infrastructure as well as the efforts to encourage private development.

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COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Winter 2026 BIOL 297H Natural Bridge State Park Jessica LaPrice

JOUR 325 City of Lexington City of Buena Vista Ady Dewey

MATH 343 Maury River Middle School Kursat Yilmaz

Animal Physiology in a Changing Climate Biology students in Animal Physiology in a Changing Climate collaborated with the Natural Bridge State Park. They worked in teams to develop, advertise, and administer a Bio-Blitz — a public-facing biodiversity survey. The project started data collection for what will become a longterm community-based learning partnership with the park that will culminate in the creation of research projects and educational interpretive exhibits about the park’s inhabitants.

Crisis Communication The Crisis Communication class partnered with the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista to develop an actionable crisis communication plan. Through case studies, students learned about current methods of forecasting problems and responding effectively to crises and consequences in the public and private sectors. The plans identified effective communication with various stakeholders during different crisis scenarios, outlined effective media-relations strategies during emergencies, and highlighted how to regain public credibility following a crisis.

Geometry Students in Math 343 learned about geometric techniques through the study of Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries and their transformations. They got a chance to translate complicated math concepts into simple language and brought the magic of math to life. They partnered with the after-school program “Youth Achieving Success” and created Shapes in Action, a hands-on enrichment program for middle schoolers, allowing them to work through tangram puzzles, showing how concepts in geometry impact strategies in widely known games like tic-tac-toe and Uno, and demonstrating how geometry impacts our daily lives in tangible ways. CBL ANNUAL REPORT | 7

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Spring 2026 CHEM 158 AFCA 258 Pebbles Project Stellenbosch, South Africa Leslie WingardCunningham Connell Cunningham Jr.

POV 296

Bitter Grapes Bitter Grapes was an innovative study-abroad interdisciplinary Spring Term course that blended chemistry, English, and Africana studies in South Africa. It engaged with both the technical aspects of viticulture and oenology and the rich cultural, historical, and economic narratives that shape South Africa’s winemaking industry and its historical context of slavery. Students volunteered at the Pebbles Project, which is part of the Stellenbosch Vineyards, engaging with Soap4Hope and outdoor creative craft sessions with children.

Justice and Mercy

Howard Pickett

Justice and Mercy is an interdisciplinary community-centered seminar where students — half from the W&L campus and half incarcerated at the Western Virginia Regional Jail — learn sideby-side and discuss pressing questions such as: What is justice, and what does it require from us? What is mercy, and does it differ from forgiveness? Does justice ever require mercy? Does justice ever prohibit mercy? Is anything unforgivable?

THTR 290G

Immersive Theater in Civic Spaces

Western Virginia Regional Jail

Rockbridge Historical Society Suzanne Delle

In this interdisciplinary theater course, students partnered with the Rockbridge Historical Society. Using docudrama, devising methods, and embodied theater techniques, students researched the lives, histories, and cultural narratives connected to the Lexington community. The collaboration culminated in an immersive performance at Oak Grove Cemetery, highlighting the complex lives of three individuals from the Lexington and Rockbridge area. The performances honored the past while inviting contemporary audiences to reflect on their connection to place, legacy, and community identity.

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2025-2026 CBL Collaborative members: (back row) Kursat Yilmaz, Alexander Ramirez, Jessica LaPrice; (front row) Nydia Ayala, Romina Green, Alexander Sutton, Nneka Dennie, Suzanne Delle

T H E C B L C O L L A B O R AT I V E

Faculty Build Community Partnerships

he 2025-2026 CBL Collaborative featured a powerhouse lineup of faculty dedicated to creating and implementing CBL-designated courses. Three members offered CBL versions of their classes in the 2026 Winter Term. Jessica LaPrice, associate professor of biology, partnered with Natural Bridge State Park to add a BioBlitz project to her class Animal Physiology in a Changing Climate. Kursat Yilmaz, visiting assistant professor of mathematics, partnered with Maury River Middle School’s after-school program, giving his Geometry students practical experience teaching math in fun, interactive ways. Alexander Ramirez, visiting assistant professor of creative writing, required students in his Introduction to Creative Writing: Nonfiction course to volunteer at locally based food-related nonprofits and write about their experiences. Two faculty prepped new Spring Term courses. Nydia Ayala, assistant professor of cognitive and

behavioral science, had students in Eyewitness Evidence in Legal Factfinding provide insights and recommendations to the Buena Vista Police Department. Suzanne Delle, visiting assistant professor of theater, taught Performing Memory: Immersive Theater in Civic and Sacred Spaces in collaboration with the Rockbridge Regional Historical Society. And two faculty will offer their CBL courses this fall. Romina Green, assistant professor of history, will teach Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies and partner with Casa Alma, a Catholic Worker community and all-volunteer nonprofit located near Charlottesville, to help the organization launch its social media campaign. Alexander Sutton, assistant professor of sociology, will teach (de)Constructing Disability in the U.S. and collaborate with Purple Heart Homes to help highlight via social media the organizations work to provide housing solutions for disabled veterans.

CBL ANNUAL REPORT | 9

David Marsh and Adrienne Jones, 2025-2026 Scholars in Residence

SCHOLARS IN RESIDENCE

Scholars Connect Research with Community Needs

he CBL office hosted two Scholars in Residence during the 2025-2026 academic year. David Marsh, professor of biology, collaborated with Nature Camp, a summer camp for middle and high school students in Vesuvius (Rockbridge County), to set up a longterm monitoring program for a rare salamander species found in the surrounding area. Students in his Spring Term Field Herpetology class built and installed monitoring grids, and one of his research scholars created a booklet on salamanders to be shared with campers.

Adrienne Jones, assistant professor of sociology, collaborated with the Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) in Charlottesville to research the use and consequences of fines

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and fees in the regional criminal legal system. Her review of the 25th judicial district, which includes Lexington/ Rockbridge County, revealed that legal actors (court clerks, prosecutors, and judges) have a limited understanding of what proportion of the fines and fees assessed within the criminal legal system remains outstanding. She plans to collaborate with the LAJC during her fall course Exploring Punishment, Inequality, and Justice in the System of Monetary Sanctions. Students will create a rack card that will provide judges with information about alternatives to fines and fees. This resource will guide judges in asking targeted questions to identify constructive outcomes, helping defendants fulfill their obligations without becoming trapped in a cycle of debt.

Campus Compact Conference

B R O A D E N I N G O U R R E AC H

Sharing Best Practices The CBL office consistently aims to broaden and share its expertise. In the fall, Sascha Goluboff, CBL director, along with Bethany Ozorak, associate director, participated in the Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference, where they presented on designing and assessing a community-university relationship survey. In the Winter Term, Goluboff, Brea Moore, AmeriCorps VISTA, and Judy Repair, administrative assistant, attended Campus Compact’s conference, where they showcased a poster about the office’s efforts to create opportunities for faculty success in CBL.

From left to right: Professor Sascha Goluboff, Bethany Ozorak, and Alessandra Del Conte Dickovick

CBL ANNUAL REPORT | 11

Campus Vote Project Democracy Fellows Laura Murambadoro ’26 and Joshua Davidson ’28 table for special elections.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Democracy Fellows Drive Civic Engagement

his year, the Community-Based Learning office supported three Fair Elections Center Campus Vote Project (CVP) Democracy Fellows, Laura Murambadoro ’26, Kaden Buss ’27, and Joshua Davidson ’28. This initiative focused on expanding student access to civic information and creating opportunities for students to engage with peers and local leaders. The Fall Term began with the fellows participating in the Fair Elections Center’s Virginia Student Voting Summit at Virginia Tech, where they connected with students from other institutions and discussed strategies for increasing student voter participation while maintaining a nonpartisan approach to election advocacy. On campus, the fellows tabled for National Voter Registration Day, providing voter registration assistance and information about the electoral

process. They also invited students to share their definitions of democracy, displaying responses publicly to highlight the range of perspectives across campus. The fellows further engaged students by hosting a Post-Election Reflection Town Hall that brought together local representatives and faculty, giving students an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts on the recent election. In the Winter Term, the fellows hosted a Know Your Rights panel featuring Lexington and Rockbridge County representatives who addressed questions about issues affecting students, including the city budget and local noise ordinances. Additional tabling supported understanding of the special election and redistricting. The year concluded with a civics-themed game night featuring politically focused games.

Fall

Virginia Student Voting Summit · National Voter Registration Day · Post-Election Reflection Town Hall

Winter

Know Your Rights panel · Special election and redistricting tabling

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S T U D E N T ACC E S S

Expanding Student Access Through Driver Education

Adhip Adhikari ’27, the pilot program's first licensed driver

The Driver’s Ed Pilot Program was created to reduce transportation barriers for students by providing supervised, structured driving instruction through a partnership between Community-Based Learning and Traveller. This year, we successfully launched the pilot and student Traveller drivers began providing instruction, with two students starting lessons in February and progressing toward their DMV road tests. Adhip Adhikari, a junior and international student from Nepal, was the first to get his license. Additionally, after providing a DMV knowledge exam study session, three students received their driver’s permits. The pilot has demonstrated both a clear student need for driver education and the feasibility of building a sustainable program around that need.

S U M M E R I M PAC T

2026 CBL Interns in the Community This summer was exciting for six students who participated in CBL’s internship program. They worked with five different community organizations, gaining valuable experience and skills. Simmons Lee ’27 collaborated with Main Street Lexington, where she drafted policies for downtown green spaces, conducted grant research, and assisted with summer events. Mary Catherine Colo ’27 was with Rockbridge Conservation and conducted water monitoring mapping as well as coordinated a trails improvement project. Molly Coman ’27 was with the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce, where she created a resource guide for people interested in relocating to the area and assisted with various other projects in the office. Meanwhile, Courtney Schmidt ’28 and Gabi Dickovick (Class of 2029 at Dickinson College) served as coaches at Rockbridge Rocksteady Boxing. They planned classes, supported fighters during training, conducted assessments, and engaged in research activities. Lastly, Lucas Neel ’28 worked on a carbon auditing project with the City of Lexington.

Summer 2026 cohort, from left to right: Simmons Lee ’27, Molly Coman ’27, Gabi Dickovick (Class of 2029 at Dickinson College), Courtney Schmidt ’28, Mary Catherine Colo ’27, and Lucas Neel ’28

CBL ANNUAL REPORT | 13

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Why CBL is Meaningful Reasons faculty teach CBL • To enhance student learning • To improve their teaching

Impacts on faculty who taught a CBL course • Increased their professional satisfaction and sense of accomplishment • Enhanced their use of effective teaching pedagogy

What students love • Contributing to the community and having a tangible impact • Applying course content to real-world situations

What community partners find most valuable • Having students tackle issues, questions, or projects that the organization may not have the time or resources to address. • The creative ideas, suggestions, or solutions that students bring to the table.

Photos clockwise from top left: ◆

Wenqi Yang’s Spring Term Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies course, Sexual Assault Intervention: Media and Reality, partnered with Project Horizon to promote trauma-informed sexual assault intervention and education across campus and the Rockbridge County community.

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CBL 100 collaborated with Heritage Hall to organize community activities for residents. This photo shows a rock painting activity.

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The Beta Beta Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. won the W&L Community Service Excellence Award, presented at the Leadership Excellence Award Ceremony on March 24, 2026. Pictured is O’Keefe McKinney, ’27 accepting the award, and Sascha Goluboff, director of CBL, who presented it.

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In the Spring Term, students from CHEM 158 and AFCA 258 volunteered at the Pebbles Project. CBL ANNUAL REPORT | 15

Community-Based Learning Washington and Lee University | Hopkins House 120 W. Nelson St., Lexington, Virginia 24450 wlu.edu/community-based-learning THE CBL OFFICE

Sascha Goluboff

Bethany Ozorak

Alessandra Del Conte Dickovick

Judy Repair

Director, Professor of Cultural Anthropology

Associate Director

Administrative Assistant