The Morgridge Center for Public Service is excited to announce Dr. Dave Lassen as the assistant director of Community-Engaged Scholarship.
Lassen comes to us from the University of Notre Dame where he served as the Community-Engaged Learning program director at the Institute for Social Concerns. He brings nearly 10 years of experience with community engagement administration and has a strong commitment to the value of engaged learning and equitable community partnerships in higher education.
“We are excited to welcome Dave,” says Associated Director Lisa Chambers. “We know he will bring his gifts and experience to share with the center and by extension community partners, students, staff and faculty with whom we work.”
In his new role, Lassen hopes to expand and elevate the voice of community members, faculty and students. With the Wisconsin Idea at the core of the Morgridge Center’s values, he hopes to reinforce the short- and long-term relationships the center has with the community.
Not only is Lassen bringing his community-engaged work and experience to campus, but he is returning to the very place that changed his life during his time in graduate school—the Morgridge Center.
“I came to UW with the idea that I was going to be a research faculty member for the rest of forever,” says Lassen. “I realized that the actual lived experience of being a faculty member wasn’t what I anticipated it was going to be.”
Under the tutelage and guidance of Kathy Cramer, professor of political science and Lassen’s dissertation advisor, he was advised to spend some time at the Morgridge Center to connect with the staff and their work. Cramer, who had just become the center’s faculty director, had an inkling that Lassen would enjoy it there. Within six months, his professional plans and life had completely changed.
Lassen had found a home on campus noting that Cramer was 100 percent right. He discovered that the values of the center meant everything to him: commitment, relationship and most importantly, community.
Throughout Lassen’s journey as a student and professional, he has resided in five states but returning to Wisconsin has felt like coming back home—where his love for academia and the university all started—where it all began.
“From the moment I walked in the doors and started talking to the people at the Morgridge Center, I knew this was it,” says Lassen. “It’s been over a decade now, and I haven’t looked back.”