Ryan Nilsen, MTS - Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice

Director of Special Programs

RBNilsen@unc.edu

Health Sciences Library 217

Ryan Nilsen is the director of special programs in the Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice and an adjunct instructor teaching through the Department of Public Policy and the School of Education. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a double major in English and international studies and a minor in mathematics and completed a Master of Theological Studies degree at Duke University with a focus on experiential education and community development. He also completed a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership through the UNC School of Social Work.

Prior to his current role, Ryan led undergraduate and graduate service-learning and community engagement programs at the Carolina Center for Public Service for over a decade.

Publications

Nilsen, R. (2023). For what and for whom is camping in America?: A review of Camping Grounds. Book review published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 15(4), 73-75.

Lyon, M. L., Nilsen, R. B., & Brazell-Brayboy, J.D. (2023). Civic learning. In L. Garvin, P. H. Clayton, J. D. Murphy, & K. Medlin (Eds.), Contributions of civic and community engagement in higher education series. North Carolina Campus Engagement (formerly North Carolina Campus Compact).

Nilsen, R., Gillis, A., Hutson, B., and Blanchard, L. (2020). Reflections to Resumes: Alumni perceptions of a multi-term public service program’s connection to career. Paper published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 12(3), 33-52.

Nilsen, R., Hutson, B., Blanchard, L., Hirt, L. Siems, M. and Mitchell, T. (2020). A comparative case study of alumni of two multi-term public service programs. Paper published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 12(2), 26-43.

Bolick, C. and Nilsen, R. (2019). Outward Bound and Civic-Minded: the impact of an Outward Bound course on students’ understanding of and experiences with public service. Paper published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 11(2), 120-133.

Nilsen, R., Emmerling, D. and Fieselman, L. (2018). Review of The Community Engagement Professional in Higher Education, edited by Lina Dostilio. Review published in Partnerships: A Journal of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, 9(1), 61-63.

Nilsen, R. (April 2014). The National Farm Worker Ministry as Freirian Apprenticeship. Paper published in peer-reviewed journal Religious Education, 109(2), 173-183.