Profile

Thomas (Tommy) Van Cleave, MS, is an instructor and program coordinator in the Educational Leadership and Policy Department’s Graduate Certificate in Postsecondary Service-Learning and Community-Based Learning. He earned his masters’ degree from PSU and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Education’s Postsecondary Educational Leadership doctoral program. Earlier in his career he worked in the hospitality and tourism industry and became involved in postsecondary education by coordinating service-based alternative spring break trips through a nonprofit organization in partnership with a large state university in the Midwest.

At PSU, he has co-facilitated a graduate course studying international service-learning pedagogy and practice in India, taught courses focusing on the nexus of global citizenship and service, and presented at national and international conferences on community engagement, international service-learning, border pedagogy, and meaning making.

Mr. Van Cleave is also a contributor to the 2011 book edited by Dr. Christine Cress and Dr. David Donahue entitled Democratic dilemmas of teaching-service learning, with the chapter, Democratic Lessons in Faith, Sexuality, and Service.

His research interests include service-learning, international service-learning and civic engagement, global citizenship, intercultural development, meaning making, border pedagogy, pedagogical catalysts of learning, and reflexive teaching. His doctoral dissertation is entitled, Short-Term International Service-Learning: Faculty Perspectives on Pedagogical Strategies for Success.

Thomas (Tommy) Van Cleave, MS
Portland State University
Graduate School of Education
Educational Leadership and Policy
PO Box 751
615 SW Harrison
Room 506D 
Portland, Oregon  97207-0751
Phone: 503-725-4682
Fax: 503-725-3200   
Email: tjv@pdx.edu