The vocation of citizenship encourages individuals to engage actively in their communities, prioritizing the well-being of the collective. By addressing shared challenges, citizens contribute to the common good and help shape a more sustainable future. On March 25, NetVUE hosted a webinar that focused on various ways to explore this topic with students, as well as staff and faculty. In it, the featured speakers discussed their experiences and their recent contributions to Called Beyond Ourselves: Vocation and the Common Good.
Michelle Hayford of NC State University, in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the executive director of arts and an associate dean for University College. She discussed her chapter, “The Vocation of Advocacy: Enacting a More Just World,” focusing on modeling service to others.
Christine Jeske of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, spoke about her essay, “Overturning for the Common Good: Membership and Mutuality in a World of Markets and Meritocracy.” She emphasized how mutuality makes life good. Christine is an associate professor of anthropology.
Finally, Meghan Slining of Furman University located in Greenville, South Carolina, explained the components of burnout, which she drew from her chapter, “A Case for Compassionate Pedagogy: Caring for the Public’s Health, Cultivating Sustainable Vocations.” She is an associate professor of health sciences.
The concluding 30 minutes of the webinar responded to questions from participants. This included questions about these issues in the classroom and the larger university community. The webinar host also shared additional resources, including episodes from NetVUE’s podcast Callings: “Transformation and Generosity: Kathleen Fitzpatrick,” and “Callings We Don’t Choose: Deanna Thompson.” (Readers might also appreciate “Heart Wide Open: Meghan Slining.”) Posts from Vocation Matters— “Connecting to the Common Good” and “Robert Pampel and Common Good Places”—could also be useful for readers interested in exploring these issues further.
The webinar was recorded and can be accessed through the NetVUE Online Community Network, to which all staff and faculty members at NetVUE institutions have access. Click here for more information about NetVUE membership.
Rachel F. Pickett is the webinar coordinator for NetVUE.
