By Taylor Ware Last week, we followed Anneliese Kerr on her journey from service-learning to Springfield Community Gardens (SCG). Anneliese’s story is not an outlier. Other service-learners have had similar journeys. So, this week, we speak with Missouri State alum, Amanda Drewel about her experience. Amanda Drewel opted into a 1-credit service-learning course in the spring of 2018. She was placed with Robberson Community School— an elementary school that supports children in finding their purpose and developing long-term skills – while also providing resources to their family. As a Math and Science Education major, Amanda fit in well at Robberson. “I was excited to have my first self-directed project. It was empowering to see a need and be able to implement a solution" She ran a club called Math LegoLand, where students replicated the Springfield community built out of Legos. Their activities involved learning about the community, identifying civil issues, workshopping solutions, and developing their math skills. The following year, Amanda created the school’s robotics … [Read more...] about From service-learning course to career – part 2: how math and science education got Amanda Drewel a job
By Taylor Ware Missouri State University is always seeking to improve the education we provide, the teaching environment we facilitate, or the community we serve. Our school has a unique dedication to public affairs— a perspective that cultivates civic virtues and strengthens the bonds that unite people is a central element of the student experience. From this set of values emerges service-learning. Service-learning connects coursework with community efforts to provide hands-on opportunities to students. In many cases, service-learning has resulted in career-building relationships. For Missouri State alum, Anneliese Kerr, this is exactly the case. “At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. But with time, I found my footing and figured out how I could best serve others as well as myself.” Anneliese began an Environmental Plant Science degree as well as a focus on agronomy at Missouri State in 2016. Her passion for agriculture and biology stems from her love of food and cooking. At one time, she believed she might work as a chef but eventually determined working to grow the … [Read more...] about From service-learning course to career: what plant science and public affairs lead to for Anneliese Kerr
By Taylor Ware “I signed up for service-learning because it was an opportunity to do something good. I never thought I would end up a published author,” said junior Missouri State student, Sarah Hinkson. Last spring, Sarah took part in the National Literacy Project in its mission to provide reading and writing resources to children and families. Being a theater major and a Spanish minor, Sarah developed the perfect idea to combine her educational background and desire to support literacy. I signed up for service-learning because it was an opportunity to do something good. I never thought I would end up a published author These factors lead to Príncipe Alejandro; an original children’s book featuring both English and Spanish translations of the story. Príncipe Alejandro is about a little boy that faces adversity in his attempts to socialize with the other kids in his school. Sarah wrote this book to show children that they are not alone in their challenges with social identity. Alejandro is inspired by a real person: the child of Sarah’s high school theater teacher. … [Read more...] about Service-learning to self-publishing: student works to improve child literacy and cultural competence
By Kathy Nordyke The College of Business (COB) is the first college on Missouri State University’s campus to require all COB majors to complete service-learning through the ITC 200 course. The outcomes of this requirement have provided a valuable service to the community and high-impact educational practice for students. Let’s look at the numbers: During the 2021 - 2022 academic year, 1,536 students completed 23,121 hours of service to the community. The total number of students include several high-school dual-credit students. Based on the industry-standard service rate calculator from IndependentSector.org, COB students have generated an estimated value of $629,122.41 in the community. The College of Business and service-learning office are encouraged by these results and hope to see them improve over time. COB students have generated an estimated value of $629,122.41 in the community. Other 1-credit or integrated service-learning courses in the COB include MGT 300, MGT 440, MGT 770, MKT 354, MKT 456 and HID 241. Below is the 2021 – 2022 participation and … [Read more...] about College of Business embraces service-learning methods in 2021-2022
By Taylor Ware Get out of your comfort zone and try new things— that’s what everyone will tell you as you start your university adventure. The beginning stages of college are intimidating. Getting involved in unfamiliar activities can be unnerving. Service-learning often falls into this bracket of “intimidating” activities, but it doesn’t have to. Take recent graduate, Nick Lantz, as evidence. Nick arrived at Missouri State University eager and spirited. He was ready to make a difference. With lofty aspirations for medical school and a passion for helping people, he soon found a home with service-learning. Nick was introduced to the possibilities of service-learning through presentations from our office in several of his introductory courses. When a close friend of his brought him to the office, he met with our director, Dr. Kathy Nordyke, who informed Nick more about opportunities that met his needs. He was soon assigned to be the lead student in charge of two after-school programs at Robberson Community School. Robberson supports … [Read more...] about A Service-Learning Journey with Nick Lantz