Introductions: University-Community Links & Core Commitments for Transformative Education

This chapter provides context and history for the University-Community Links (UC Links) network as an introduction to the edited volume. We describe the core components of the UC Links model of university-community partnership and core commitments shared across programs, as well as their variability. We provide an orientation to the theme of “transformation” that links the different sections of the volume, organized as transformative histories, transforming pedagogies, transforming learning and lives, transforming learning ecologies, and transforming futures. We also share insight into the collaborative writing process editors and authors engaged in to develop this collective work, and discuss stylistic and editorial choices.