Let's Chat--Cultivating Community University Dialogue: A Coffee Table Textbook on Partnerships

From the home of the Paulo Freire Democratic Project and non-profit community organization Padres Unidos, the Chapman University Padres Unidos Partnership presents this truly unique coffee table textbook, Let’s Chat: Cultivating Community University Dialogue – A Coffee Table Textbook on Partnerships. The volume presents a collection of community stories, concepts and analyses that highlight the journey of border crossings between two co-existing neighbors: a non-profit community organization and a university. Stories from community residents and faculty members represent how they disrupted the barriers that typically divide us by reconceptualizing how universities and communities can work together to reshape the intellectual landscape and reconfigure power differentials.

Written with and by the community, this book represents a break-away genre that privileges the “voices of the people” (Freire), accompanied by academic voices, in a format that is accessible, aesthetic and attractive to both community and university audiences. Cafecitos punctuate each chapter to elicit dialogue, reflection and action towards defining and developing community university partnerships.

This book will be useful to:
• academics interested in partnerships, public pedagogy, and community-based research
• students involved in community engagement/service learning
• community organizations
• immigrant families who reveal their wisdom in stories about self, others, and community building within the Chapman University Padres Unidos partnership

Perfect for courses such as: Service in Action Practicum, Leadership, Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Community-Based Research Methods, Introduction to Asset-Based Community Development, Community Service Internship, Community Leadership of Tomorrow, Becoming an Agent of Change, Cultural Diversity in American Education, Diversity and Equity in Education, Social and Philosophical Aspects of Education, and Education and Economic Development.

Suzanne SooHoo is the former Endowed Hassinger Chair in Education and the co-director, emerita of the Paulo Freire Democratic Project at Chapman University, Orange, California. She is one of ten Asian American endowed chairs in the U.S. Her current research interests focuses on critical pedagogy, Freirean philosophy and culturally responsive methodologies. As a former school principal and full professor, she has committed a lifetime to understanding and nurturing relationships and engaging dialogically towards the development of a more humane and socially just world.

Patricia Huerta currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Padres Unidos, a grass roots, non-profit organization. She received an A.A. from Cypress College, a B.S. in Human Services from California State University Fullerton, a Master’s in Social Work from California State University San Bernardino and a Master’s in Catechism from the Dioceses of Orange. Patricia worked as the Parenting Coordinator for Orange County’s Department of Children and Family Services for over a decade. Her 30 years of experience working with parents and families has made her a sought out public speaker. In recognition for her advocacy of families, Patricia has been an OC Blue Ribbon finalist, Telemundo 52 Padres Heroes, OC Women Making a Difference Award and more.

Patty Perales Huerta-Meza is the Division Director for Padres Unidos’ Adult and Youth Forensic Services. Dr. Huerta-Meza received her Master in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in 2011 and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2015. She completed a competitive practicum placement with the California Institution for Men, Chino. She is an Adjunct Professor at Chapman University and Argosy University. Her areas of interest include strengthening communities, multicultural mental health, treatment of shame, trauma, and forensic and correctional treatment. She has presented at numerous local, national and international conferences.

Tim Bolin is an adjunct faculty at Chapman University whose research explores educational, theoretical, and policy interventions that may promote social change. Specifically, his work demonstrates what role contemporary leaderless democratic movements and community/university partnerships may play in transforming society. Applying his research, he explores the ways that researchers can ethically, equitable, and democratically engage with the community.

Kevin Stockbridge<\/b> is an Assistant Professor and Student Affairs Liaison in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Chapman University. He is a critical educator and researcher dedicated to a radically inclusive world through engagement of democracy in the classroom and beyond. Kevin has co-edited and co-authored with scholars on several works that seek to advance and reframes transformative educational conversations for the sake of social justice.