Murray State University’s Humanities+ Series Presents "Community as Classroom"
By Dr. Carrie Jerrell | Sep 29, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts (CHFA) invites students, faculty and the public to the next installment of its Humanities+ Series on Thursday, Oct. 1, featuring a presentation by sociologist Dr. Alexandra Hendley.
The presentation, titled "Community as Classroom: Connecting, Serving, and Learning," will take place at 4:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall room 208. Admission is free and open to all members of the campus and local communities. Area K-12 educators attending the event can also earn professional development credit through the Humanities+ initiative.
The Humanities+ Series encompasses public lectures, teaching workshops and cultural events designed to highlight how foundational skills in the humanities such as critical thinking, clear communication and community involvement enrich lives and career paths.
In her talk, Hendley will explore how real world, hands-on learning empowers students to flourish both inside and outside the traditional academic setting. Attendees will discover practical ways experiential learning connects classroom theory with community engagement.
In addition to the campus audience, the presentation is perfect for current and future K-12 teachers and post-secondary instructors looking to integrate place-based learning, service projects and local partnerships into their course content. The event is equally valuable for nonprofit professionals, community organizers and civic leaders who wish to cultivate meaningful, long-term collaborations with educational institutions. By highlighting how community-focused education strengthens social bonds, Hendley’s presentation provides a roadmap for anyone passionate about fostering civic participation and making an impact in one’s own community.
Hendley is a professor of sociology in the Department of Political Science and Sociology at Murray State, where she also serves as the undergraduate program coordinator. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology with a doctoral emphasis in feminist studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and graduated summa cum laude from Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts double major in sociology and anthropology. Hendley’s research primarily examines gender inequality, work and occupations, and how individuals construct identity and frame social problems.
For more information about Humanities+, visit murraystate.edu/humanities.
For more information about Dr. Alexandra Hendley or the Department of Political Science and Sociology, visit murraystate.edu/pss.
Area teachers interested in receiving professional development credit for attendance at the talk should contact CHFA Education Placement Coordinator Kristen Swisher at 270-809-4527 or kswisher@murraystate.edu.