Integrative Learning and Action: A Call to Wholeness

The quest for wholeness is an emerging movement in education and in organizations. Integrative Learning and Action is a call to wholeness by poets, organizational theorists, scientists, lawyers, educators, philosophers, administrators, and contemplatives. In diverse ways the essays speak to an emerging desire for a different world – for different ways of learning, knowing, and being that draw upon the full spectrum of our cognitive, aesthetic, emotional, spiritual, and kinesthetic intelligences in order to create a wiser, more sustainable, and collaborative global society. The essays challenge us to chart a new integrative course for the future, to expand our thinking, and to re-enlist our hearts in the life-long journey of learning and living, and will be valuable to all who are engaged in the transformation occurring in education and the workplace.

The Editors: Susan M. Awbrey is Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Oakland University. She received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University. She was a faculty member and administrator at the University of Texas, The University of Illinois, and Michigan State University, and was selected as an American Council on Education Fellow. Her passion is creating education for whole persons.
Diane Dana is a Research Assistant for the SEED Project on Inclusive Curriculum, based at the Center for Research on Women at Wellesley College and supports efforts to make schools, colleges and universities more multicultural, gender fair and globally aware. She joined the team of academics, administrators and community members in the Five College area of western Massachusetts to form the Community for Integrative Learning and Action (CILA).
Vachel W. Miller is currently Project Manager for the Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia Together (KURET) Project in Uganda. His work focuses on education for peace, alternative indicators, and spirituality in education. He has coedited a book of essays entitled Transforming Campus Life: Reflections on Spirituality and Religious Pluralism (Peter Lang, 2001).
Phyllis Robinson received her doctorate in International Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Center for International Education, and has worked for many years in support of the Buddhist leadership in Cambodia in their efforts to stabilize their society after decades of war and attempted genocide. She now consults internationally and nationally in exploring and researching the integral role spirit can play in individual healing and in building an ethical society.
Merle M. Ryan was an Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is now retired and teaches Embracing Diversity, Leadership in Higher Education and American Sign Language at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was also a coeditor of Transforming Campus Life: Reflections on Spirituality and Religious Freedom (Peter Lang, 2001).
David K. Scott received his D.Phil. from Oxford University and has worked as a nuclear scientist and as an educator, most recently as the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is now interested in creating a Community for Integrative Learning and Action (CILA) and in exploring the role of spirituality in higher education.