Thursday, April 10, 2008
Nine-county leadership program gets national award
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A USI program which offers participants opportunities to think and act regionally to enhance life in Southern Indiana received a national award. The University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) presented the 2008 Program of Excellence Award for Innovations in Outreach and Engagement to USI for Connect with Southern Indiana, a program funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment. The award recognizes the innovative approach used by USI to promote faculty participation in regional outreach. Charmaine McDowell, manager of business development for Extended Services, accepted the award. She said judges acknowledged the faculty connection to the discovery process. Instead of using faculty members as experts to present material, faculty join as participants with residents and develop skills and learn about the region. She said teachers gain knowledge that enhances their ability to involve their college students in regional issues. Strengthening critical thinking and promoting active citizenship are not new endeavors, but involving faculty in such a deliberate fashion is original. The program is offered to people in Knox, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, and Perry counties. Participants become more aware of how they can put their skills to work in community and regional projects. Scholarships cover program costs for participants except travel to and from meetings. It is administered by the Office of Extended Services at the University of Southern Indiana. The current program is running through June. Details about the program are at www.usi.edu/extserv/outreach/connect.asp. |
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