Congratulations to Drs. Rebecca Earhart Michel and Caren Schranz, both recipients of the Fall 2014 Service-Learning Seed Grants which were awarded by the Civic Engagement Steering Committee. The service-learning seed grants are being offered to develop, or substantially revise, service-learning courses. The purpose of these course development grants is to expand the number of courses offered at Governors State University that incorporate service-learning as a teaching pedagogy.
Dr. Michel, Assistant Professor of Counseling, will use the grant for a Lifestyle and Career Development (COUN 7730) course offered within the Division of Psychology and Counseling. During the class, students learn evidence-based career theories, assessments, and interventions to empower clients to create meaningful lifestyles and careers. For the culminating service-learning project, students work in teams to design and deliver career workshops within the local community. In the past, students have presented to adolescents living in residential facilities, adult survivors of domestic violence, ex-offenders, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Students have the opportunity to put theory to practice and teach participants essential skills to support their career development (e.g., interviewing skills, resume writing, networking with social media). This grant will allow us to have the funds to continue making a meaningful contribution within our community.
Dr. Schranz will use the grant for Occupational Therapy students enrolled in Human Development and Performance (OCCT 7750). During the summer 2014 semester, students will be required to complete a service learning project, including an instructional methods assignment to support the children and families in the community. This project will focus on groups of students working with children and families in a local community program. The intent of this project is to support occupational therapy intervention through consultation or educational processes. The impact on the student will be to connect knowledge to ‘real life’ situations through civic engagement. The children and families of this project will benefit from a consultative or educational intervention design to support the child and family.
Please look for future development and grant opportunities provided by the Civic Engagement Steering Committee. Under the sponsorship of the Office of the Provost, the Civic Engagement Steering Committee meets regularly and includes leadership from the Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service, the Consortium for Civic Engagement, and the Faculty Scholarship and Teaching Center. For more information about GSU’s civic engagement efforts, please visit: http://www.govst.edu/service/.