Creation of the Place-Based Justice Network

In 2014, teams from 12 universities gathered at Seattle University for a two-day institute to create a community-inspired definition of place-based work. Since the initial convening, teams from over 25 universities have participated in three additional multi-day institutes organized by Seattle University and supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In February 2018, leaders from several member universities met to clarify the purpose and structure of what has become known as the Place-Based Justice Network.

Purpose of the Place-Based Justice Network

Focusing on a place-based community engagement strategy invites institutions of higher education and their communities into a deeper examination of how transformation and change occurs on campus and in communities. This exploration often leads to an analysis of how to address historic and current systems that disenfranchise people based upon race, gender, class, national origin and many other personal and communal identifiers. 

Defining Place-Based Community Engagement

Kent Koth and Erica Yamamura define place-based community engagement as “a long-term university-wide commitment to partner with local residents, organizations, and other leaders to focus equally on campus and community impact within a clearly defined geographic area." It is within a collaborative interpretation of community engagement that the Place-Based Justice Network is built. 

Values of the Place-Based Justice Network

• We are committed to an anti-oppression framework that recognizes intersectionality.
• We pursue partnerships and initiatives that are long-term, reciprocal, and grounded in a deliberative process. 
• We emphasize actions that are defined by community-identified goals that foster self- determination.
• We recognize that change occurs through continuous individual and collective learning and action.
• We honor that this work involves openness, integrity and humility.

Stay in Touch - Join our Group on Linked In: 

Connect with other people invested in place-based community engagement across North America. Post relevant articles, videos, updates from your work and pose questions to the group for feedback. Open to all, PBJN membership not required: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8726536/ 

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Place-Based Justice Network Leadership 

The Place-Based Justice Network is a coalition among universities and colleges and their communities committed to deconstructing systems of oppression through place-based community engagement. The Network is led by a group of member-leaders in a volunteer capacity. To learn more about how to get involved as a leader of the Network or how to become a member please contact the national staff lead, Erin Burrows at Seattle University. 

Updated as of February 2021

Place-Based Justice Network Steering Committee

• Karin Cotterman, University of San Francisco
• Roxanne de la Torre, Fordham University 
• Jamilah Ducar, University of Pittsburg
• Kent Koth, Seattle University
• John Loggins, University of San Diego
• Chris Nayve, University of San Diego
• Erin O'Keefe, Loyola University Maryland
• Jennifer Pigza, PhD, St. Mary’s College of California

Next Generation Fellowship Leads

• Roxanne de la Torre, Fordham University 
• John Loggins, University of San Diego
  

Learn more about the PBJN Next Generation Fellows

Continuous Learning Working Group

• Kirk Holbrook, University of Pittsburgh
• Chris Nayve, University of San Diego

National Strategy Working Group 

• Jamilah Ducar, University of Pittsburgh
• Jennifer Pigza, PhD, Saint Mary's College of California 

Sustainability Working Group 

• Erin Burrows, Seattle University
• Kent Koth, Seattle University
• Gavin Luter, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Erin O'Keefe, Loyola University Maryland 

Summer Institute 2021 Working Group

• Julia Anderson, Democracy Collaborative, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '20-21
• Erin Burrows, Seattle University
• Karin Cotterman, University of San Francisco
• Roxanne de la Torre, Fordham University, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '19-20
  
• John Loggins, University of San Diego
• Anthony Medina, Gonzaga University, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '19-20
• Demitri Morgan, PhD, Loyola University Chicago, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '19-20 
• Selam Misgano, Seattle Public Schools, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '20-21
• LaShaune Johnson, PhD, Creighton University, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '19-20

Place-Based Justice Network Leadership 2020-2021

The Place-Based Justice Network is a coalition among universities and colleges and their communities committed to deconstructing systems of oppression through place-based community engagement. The Network is led by a group of member-leaders in a volunteer capacity. To learn more about how to get involved as a leader of the Network or how to become a member please contact the national staff lead, Erin Burrows at Seattle University. 

Updated as of June 2021

Place-Based Justice Network Steering Committee 2020-21

• Karin Cotterman, University of San Francisco
• Roxanne de la Torre, Fordham University 
• Jamilah Ducar, University of Pittsburg
• Kent Koth, Seattle University
• John Loggins, University of San Diego
• Chris Nayve, University of San Diego
• Erin O'Keefe, Loyola University Maryland
• Jennifer Pigza, PhD, St. Mary’s College of California

Next Generation Fellowship Leads

• Roxanne de la Torre, Fordham University 
• John Loggins, University of San Diego
  

Learn more about the PBJN Next Generation Fellows

Continuous Learning Working Group

• Kirk Holbrook, University of Pittsburgh
• Chris Nayve, University of San Diego

National Strategy Working Group 

• Jamilah Ducar, University of Pittsburgh
• Jennifer Pigza, PhD, Saint Mary's College of California 

Sustainability Working Group 

• Erin Burrows, Seattle University
• Kent Koth, Seattle University
• Gavin Luter, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Erin O'Keefe, Loyola University Maryland 

Summer Institute 2021 Working Group

• Julia Anderson, Democracy Collaborative, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '20-21
• Andy Choi, Loyola University Maryland 
• Erin Burrows, Seattle University
• Karin Cotterman, University of San Francisco
• Roxanne de la Torre, Fordham University, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '19-20
  
• John Loggins, University of San Diego
• Daisy Martinez, University of San Diego 
• Anthony Medina, Gonzaga University, PBJN Next Gen Fellow '19-20
• Nairuti Shastry, Beloved Economies