Dr. Neil Sparnon,
Chief Academic Officer,
JC:HEM
www.jc-hem.org
@JCHEMUpdates
neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
Jesuit Commons: Higher Education at
the Margins
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Who are we?
What do we do?
How do we do it?
Points for Discussion
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
Who are we?
 An initiative of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits);
 Open to all!
 An independent organisation, with less than 10 staff
globally.
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
What do we do?
 Offer high quality higher education, free at the point
of delivery, to those at the margins;
 (those who have limited access to, or under-served by,
higher education);
 Two awards:
 Diploma in Liberal Studies
 Community Service Learning Tracks
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
What do we do?
 Seven current sites:
 Kakuma, Dzaleka, Amman, Taunggyi, Mae Hon Song,
Chad, Herat;
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1,085 students since 2010;
715 completed, 199 active, 171 withdrawn;
28% women;
Students are from more than 20 different countries.
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
How do we do it?
 Facilitate a Partnership:
 Institutions – e.g. Regis: accreditation, courses, faculty;
 Site-based partners – e.g. Jesuit Refugee Service: onsite support and infrastructure and facilities;
 Donating organisations – e.g. Wiley Publishing:
networks, technology, infrastructure, textbooks,
funding etc.
 Individual Faculty – to teach and design courses.
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
THE DIPLOMA IN LIBERAL STUDIES
 15 courses, delivered on-line over 3 years;
Awarded and accredited by Regis University;
Courses from:
Existing courses adapted for cultural context
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
Curriculum Structure
Core Courses
0
Bridge to Learning (zero credit)
1
Adult Learning
2
Interpersonal Communication
3
Logic and Critical Thinking
4
General Psychology
5
Leadership Theory
6
Person and Conduct
7
Intercultural Communication
8
Political Science
9
World Religions
10
Introduction to Business
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
Concentrations
Business
Education
11
Global Business
Perspectives in Education
12
Project Management
Educational Psychology
13
Micro-Finance
Cultural Competence in Education
14
Marketing
Introduction to Special Education
15
Entrepreneurship
Teaching EFL
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
Community Service Learning Tracks
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Community Health Provider (French & English);
Train the Trainer (ESL);
Special Needs;
Business and Entrepreneurship (French and English (2x));
Community Development and Organization (English(3x), French,
and women only);
Performing Arts;
Community Counseling;
Child Protection and Participation;
Psychosocial Case Management (2x);
English as a Foreign Language (different levels);
Community Communications.
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING
TRACKS
 16 weeks long;
 Class sizes between 15-25;
 Subjects address areas of particular need in the
community;
 Delivered locally (face to face) but the curriculum is
developed in collaboration with on-line international
faculty;
 Excellent orientation to learning – many subsequently
apply successfully to the Diploma;
 Genuine impact in the community;
 A key component in terms of scalability.
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org
Points for Discussion
 It’s about partnership – you can’t do everything;
 It’s not rocket surgery - The technology and networks
to do this are available;
 The main issues are academic – faculty, course
donation relevance etc;
 On-site support is critical to success;
 Innovation needs a business plan.
www.jc-hem.org @JCHEMUpdates neil.sparnon@jc-hem.org