OEPN Community of Practice

Outreach & Engagement Practitioners Network

 

About the OEPN Community of Practice

The OEPN Community of Practice (CoP) brings together outreach and engagement professionals from across higher education and community-based organizations to strengthen shared practice, foster collaboration, and build capacity for effective university–community partnerships.

 

Housed within the Outreach & Engagement Practitioners Network (OEPN), the Community of Practice serves as a national home for individuals whose work connects campuses and communities, supports partnership infrastructure, and advances community-engaged scholarship across roles, units, and sectors.

 

Who the Community of Practice Is For

The OEPN Community of Practice is open to individuals who identify as boundary spanners—professionals whose work involves relationship-building, coordination, facilitation, and collaboration across institutions and communities.

Participation is open to:

• Faculty (tenure-line and non-tenure-line)
• Staff and administrators
• Graduate students involved in engagement or partnership roles
• Community partners and collaborators
• Practitioners from both ESC member and non-member institutions

 

Membership in the Engagement Scholarship Consortium is not required to participate.

 

What We Do

The OEPN Community of Practice provides year-round opportunities for learning, connection, and collaboration, including:

 

Professional Learning & Programming

• Informational sessions and webinars
• Practitioner-led professional development opportunities
• Pre-conference programming aligned with the ESC annual meeting

 

Community-Building & Connection

• Networking and peer-exchange spaces
• Opportunities to connect with practitioners across institutions and regions
• Visibility for practitioner expertise, models, and shared learning

 

Resource Sharing & Collaboration

• Co-created tools, templates, and case studies
• Working groups focused on shared challenges and emerging practices
• Documentation and dissemination of practitioner-informed approaches

 

Upcoming OEPN Events

OEPN hosts informational sessions, professional learning opportunities, and practitioner gatherings throughout the year. These events introduce the Community of Practice, highlight upcoming opportunities, and create space for connection and dialogue among engagement professionals.

Whether you are new to OEPN or already involved, these events offer meaningful ways to engage with the community.

 

Upcoming Events

(This section will be updated regularly as new events are scheduled.)

 

OEPN Community of Practice Kickoff Informational Session
Join us for an introductory session to learn about the OEPN Community of Practice, including its purpose, upcoming programming, and ways to participate. Open to engagement professionals from both ESC member and non-member institutions.

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | Time: 12:00pm EST | Format: Virtual
👉 Register here

 

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Join the OEPN Community of Practice

 

The OEPN Community of Practice is an open, practitioner-centered network. Participation is flexible and designed to meet people where they are—whether you’re looking to attend an event, contribute to a working group, or simply stay informed.

 

There is no cost to participate, and membership in the Engagement Scholarship Consortium is not required.

 

Ways to Participate

Participants may choose to engage in one or more of the following ways:

• Attend informational sessions, webinars, and events
• Join or contribute to a working group
• Participate in peer exchanges and discussions
• Help shape future programming and shared resources
• Explore leadership or facilitation opportunities

 

Sign Up to Participate

If you’re interested in participating in the OEPN Community of Practice, we invite you to sign up using the link below. Signing up allows us to share upcoming events, opportunities, and ways to get involved.

 

👉 Sign up to participate in the OEPN Community of Practice
[Link to sign-up form or email capture]

 

What to Expect After You Sign Up

After signing up, you can expect to:

• Receive updates about upcoming events and sessions
• Learn about opportunities to contribute or lead
• Stay connected to a national network of engagement practitioners
• Engage at a level that fits your role, interests, and availability