Dana Thompson Dorsey, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy, has been chosen to participate in Carolina’s Thorp Engage Scholars Program. She is one of ten faculty members from across campus to be chosen for this cohort in the program.
Thompson Dorsey teaches graduate courses and conducts research on school law, policy and race and culture. She holds a Ph.D. and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
In its sixth year, the Thorp Engaged Scholars Program brings selected Carolina faculty together to take part in an experiential, competency-based curriculum designed to advance their engaged scholarship, working to develop projects with community organizations.
Every other year, eight to ten faculty members are selected to participate in the program aimed at understanding and pursuing community engagement through scholarly endeavors. During the two-year program, scholars participate in sessions in community settings focused on exemplary University-community partnerships. While developing their own projects with community partners, scholars form a learning community with the course directors providing guidance and support.
Participants receive a stipend of $5,000 per year and participate in a series of workshops, panels and case studies by UNC faculty, community and national experts and funding program officers.
The program is supported by an endowment that was created in 2013 with a $1 million naming gift from an anonymous donor. The program was named after former Chancellor Holden Thorp.
Since the program began in 2007, 53 Carolina faculty members have been selected from 11 schools and 21 departments to participate in the program. School of Education faculty members Juan Carrillo, Jocelyn Glazier, Suzanne Gulledge, Leigh Hall and Harriet Able have participated in the program.