Conveners

Intergenerational learning, youth leadership, respect for elders, and an affirmation of indigenous ways of knowing are core values of Community Engagement Fellows. We've listed our convening team accordingly. We also celebrate the facilitation efforts of numerous others during our events; your contributions are profoundly appreciated.

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RENEE HOUSTON

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BRAIN DAVENPORT

Laurel Hammond

Laurel Hammond works at the Center for Community Learning at Western Washington University as a Program Specialist with the Community Engagement Fellows program.

 

Originally from Colorado, Laurel came to Washington to attend WWU as an undergraduate. After graduation, she worked for several years with the Vice President of Educational Service at Whatcom Community College. Laurel launched the WCC Service-Learning program with the help of many mentors and several well-timed grants. Laurel returned to WWU to earn her Masters in Adult and Higher Education.  She went on to serve as a teaching assistant for Woodring College of Education and joined Western's Center for Community Learning in 2014.

 

Since 2018 Laurel has been a Community Engagement Fellows convener and enjoys making meaningful connections between the community and WWU.

LAUREL HAMMOND

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Travis Tennessen has served as the convener of Community Engagement Fellows since it began in 2015.

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Before coming to Western Washington University, Travis taught at Penn State-University Park and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His courses focused on sustainability, environmental conservation and environmental history. He also directed the Quest alternative break program in Madison, and Tennessen Treks while at Penn State.

 

Travis received his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his research explored the histories of conflicts over natural resources in the American West. William Cronon served as his advisor, and he was an active member of UW's Center for Culture, History and Environment.

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Many social movements and philosophies contribute to Travis's efforts with Community Engagement Fellows, including permaculture design principles, Sri Lanka's Sarvodaya movement, Unitarian Universalist Small Groups, and the Wisconsin Idea.

TRAVIS TENNESSEN

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Learn more about Community Engagement Fellows:

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Our programming takes place on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, throughout the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades watershed, from time immemorial. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, particularly the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.

(For more information: WWU Tribal Relations)

Thank you to the numerous organizations that have empowered and continue to support this collaborative effort through co-sponsoring events and providing meeting space, expertise, and communication support. Special thanks to Eastern Washington University, Northwest Indian College, University of Puget Sound, Whatcom County Library System, and Whiteswan Environmental for their ongoing dedication to the work.

©2020 Community Engagement Fellows