MGMT 385: Project Management with Marcie Lensges

Professor Marcie Lensges transformed her Project Management into a service-learning course for the same reasons she was attracted to Xavier in the first place.

“Two of the things that drew me to teaching at Xavier were the mission to instruct the whole person, and to serve others. Community-engaged learning allows me to support both and has the added benefit of keeping the class engaging, meaningful, and relevant for students.”  

Each semester, Lensges’ Project Management (MGMT 385) course solicits the participation of several non-profits and businesses that are on the front lines of serving diverse communities. Last fall, students engaged several agencies and community-based organizations including the Literacy Network, Lighthouse Youth Services, Evanston Employment Resource Center, and Refugee Connect.  Each participating community organization provided Lensges’ students with an overview of their strategic work, the communities they engage, and an opportunity or challenge that, if successfully addressed, could benefit and better serve those communities.   

For their projects, students align with groups and champion individual partner projects working collaboratively toward specific outcomes identified by the partner.  Some examples of successfully managed projects from the fall include developing a youth job program and a neighborhood communication plan for the Community of Evanston, and a very successful book drive for the Literacy Network, a nonprofit that supports families and school-aged children improve literacy rates and integrate reading into their day.

During the semester, Lensges provides the theoretical background and ongoing counsel to her students but leaves the actual management of the projects to the students who ultimately present their findings and results to their partners at the conclusion of the semester.  In addition to allowing her students the opportunity to work with a real client, Lensges feels that the opportunity to be exposed to the partners and the communities they serve, is an equally important outcome and one that was even more distinguished this fall because of the “wide range of projects” the class was able to successfully engage.  She adds:

“When it comes to engaging with community partners, the students run the show - I provide the opportunities and coach them on best practices, but they are responsible for managing the project sponsor relationships and delivering results that delight their community partners. The students are constantly amazing me with what they can accomplish if given the chance.” 

Senior Jenna Messner agrees, and appreciated that opportunity to learn more about her community partner, and manage a successful project from start to finish.  

“Our community partner gave us direction on what she wanted and needed from us and provided us with feedback when we asked, but she gave us full control of the final product. She allowed us to have total creative freedom while checking in on us when we needed it.”