Housing, Health, and Hands-On Learning

This week’s Faculty in Focus is Dr. Elisaveta Petkova, Assistant Professor of Public Health from Drew University.

Her spring 2024 public health course, Housing and Health, exemplified the power of community-engaged learning. Through partnerships with Family Promise, Bridges Outreach, and Morris Habitat for Humanity, Petkova’s students explored the intersections of public health, housing, immigration, social justice, and the arts.

Designed to integrate public health concepts with hands-on community engagement, the course provided students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. They examined the history of U.S. housing policies while actively contributing to local organizations supporting vulnerable populations.

A key component of the course involved collaboration with Family Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Morris County, NJ. Students gained firsthand experience with real-world challenges by conducting landlord-tenant interviews, analyzing housing data, and creating outreach materials to help connect individuals with essential resources. Students noted the value of developing practical skills such as interviewing, data analysis, and effective communication.

The course also featured immersive learning opportunities beyond the classroom. A trip to New York City allowed students to examine current day issues related to immigration, homelessness, and environmental challenges through visits to the Tenement Museum and the Climate Museum. Guest speakers, including Richard Uniacke, president of Bridges Outreach New Jersey, further enriched the curriculum by offering diverse perspectives on these complex topics.

In addition to fostering civic engagement, the course provided a valuable professional development experience. The integration of a stakeholder-driven project within the curriculum gave Petkova insights into the complexities of community- based work while also highlighting its rewards. Reflecting on the semester, Petkova emphasized the importance of clear communication and structured evaluation in ensuring successful collaborations. The experiences also deepened her appreciation for organizations addressing the intersection challenges of homelessness. She remarked, “Based on my experience this semester, when the community partner’s needs are placed at the center of the work, both students and the community benefit in ways that go beyond traditional classroom learning.”

The success of Housing and Health illustrated the transformative impact of experiential learning, where students not only apply classroom concepts in real-work settings but also contribute to the well-being of their communities. Dr. Petkova’s innovative approach underscored the value of collaboration between institutions and local organizations, preparing students to become thoughtful, socially responsible leaders in their future careers.