Define Your Narrative
The Center for Story at Shenandoah University will promote and celebrate the power of storytelling to inspire, connect, and transform lives.
The center will engage the campus and broader community by providing opportunities for creative expression, individually and collectively, that serve as a catalyst for positive change and empowerment. The center will support story makers of all ages and abilities by nurturing a creative community that works in all formats of communication: oral, digital, filmic, material, and written.
Celebrating Diverse Voices Through Story
- The center celebrates the rich diversity of human experience by providing a platform for storytellers from all walks of life.
- The center amplifies voices that often go unheard, fostering an inclusive environment where every story matters.
Nurturing Creativity and Self-Expression
- The center will nurture creativity by encouraging students, faculty, and community members to explore various storytelling forms.
- Whether through written narratives, oral traditions, visual arts, or digital media, creativity and community flourish when stories are shared.
Educating and Empowering Storytellers
- Through workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects, we equip storytellers with essential skills.
- The center seeks to empower individuals to craft compelling narratives, whether for personal growth, advocacy, or entertainment.
- Through partnerships, events, and advocacy, the center will encourage storytelling that addresses pressing issues and promotes empathy.
Engaging with the Community
- Beyond the SU campus, the center will engage with the external community.
- By collaborating with local schools, libraries, and cultural organizations, the center will serve as a bridge to connect people through storytelling.
Preserving Tradition while Championing Innovation
- The center will honor traditional storytelling while embracing new forms and technologies.
- The center may serve as a repository of stories, preserving cultural heritage and inspiring innovative approaches.
Story is relevant to students in all academic disciplines at all levels. Regardless of the educational context, all students spend their days expressing ideas, promoting concepts and beliefs, and trying to make change in their worlds—all through the stories they tell.
The Center for Story serves as the cultural umbrella under which all university programs may come together: through workshops, conferences, performances, festivals and classes, Center for Story connects our basic human need for storytelling to the wide variety of professional careers paths Shenandoah University has to offer. We are also a conduit through which we teach storytelling to community partners. It is an opportunity for all aspects of the Shenandoah community to come together under a cohesive brand. We promote the power of story in all disciplines.