Friday, March 28, 2008
An Introduction to USI's Service Learning Program, April 2
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USI employees and students are invited to attend an Introduction to USI’s Service Learning Program at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Rice Library Room 0018. The event is an expanded version of a presentation USI faculty and staff gave at the Governor's Conference on Service and Volunteerism March 25-26 in Indianapolis. The event was sponsored by Indiana Campus Compact and the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Dr. Hilary Braysmith, associate professor of art history; Dr. Michael Slavkin, associate professor of education; Margo Walker, a USI art student; Dr. Marie Opatrny, assistant professor of social work; Dr. Doris Mohr, assistant professor of mathematics; Judy Wells, instructor in mathematics; Matt Krevda, area coordinator in Residence Life; and Maggie Felton, instructor in psychology, joined Dr. Anne Statham, director of Service Learning, to discuss USI’s service learning projects. The USI panel showed how different disciplines can successfully approach service learning. “The whole idea is to give people an idea of what’s possible from different perspectives,” Statham said. “Part of the point we’re trying to make is any discipline can find a project to connect with and make a contribution.” At the presentation on campus: Braysmith, Slavkin, and Walker will discuss a collaboration between the Art Department, Teacher Education, and Stanley Hall Enrichment Center, Evansville’s former alternative high school. Mohr and Wells will discuss a Math Night they developed with West Terrace Elementary School, with the goal to help parents become more comfortable with math. Krevda, an area coordinator in Residence Life, will discuss Eagle Road Crew’s service learning projects. Opatrny will talk about a project in which students in the Master of Social Work program performed evaluations for an agency serving the homeless. Felton will discuss a “Girl Culture” project Psychology students worked on with the Girl Scouts of Raintree Council concerning body image, among other issues. As Krevda has shown, you don’t have to be a member of the faculty to get involved in service learning. Statham said Service Learning includes co-curricular learning as well. Introduction to Service Learning will show other USI employees how to get involved. “Any employee might know about a good project related to community issues that a class could do, and can bring a project to me or a faculty member. If the employee is involved in an organization, they could be involved as a community partner.” The Service Learning Program is part of Extended Services’ community outreach efforts, but enhancing student learning is key. The program recently received a grant from Indiana Campus Compact to develop the University’s service engagement infrastructure. For more information, contact Statham at 812/465-1203. |
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