At fall Showcase, we got a chance to chat with visiting families about how service-learning fits into student life at Missouri State. Sure, we saw participating in Showcase’s Student Life Expo as a promotional opportunity: to share the benefits of service-learning early to dozens – arguably hundreds – of potential students. But we also saw it as a key opportunity to learn from potential students. Learn about their interests and their needs as they get ready to make the big “where do I go to college” decision. So, as Showcase visitors started peppering into the expo, we primed ourselves with questions to help us guide any insights: Will people already know what service-learning is? What kind of opportunities are they looking for? What careers are they considering? And can we really measure up to the table across from us that has a greater variety of candy? The conversations we had throughout the morning held a mix of surprising perspectives and affirming beliefs. Take a look at some of the findings: Newcomers Prospective students and parents who had never heard of … [Read more...] about What prospective students – and their parents – think about service-learning
For better or worse, our smartphones have become extensions of ourselves. And one of the most defining characteristics of the device is the power to capture photos at any time in any place. But there are still some young people who, despite relying on smartphones most of their lives, seek something more precise, artistic, and professional grade. Meet Ridgley Cannon, a senior at Greenwood Laboratory School. Ridgley is a young talent who impressed us with his classic approach to photography and his heart for service. The images below, taken at the ILL-Abilities performance during the 2023 Public Affairs Conference are just a couple examples of his work: Ridgley's journey into the world of photography began when his father handed him a Nikon D60, igniting a spark that would fuel his creativity for years to come. Outside the classroom, where Ridgley immerses himself in history and science, photography is his passion project. Despite the convenience of cameras embedded in a smartphone, Ridgley prefers the tactile feel of professional equipment, capturing high quality … [Read more...] about High school student explores professional photography as a service-learning project
Dr. Kathy Nordyke has been busy lately. Not to say that supporting service-learning across all of Missouri State's campus isn't already enough. But in less than a year's time, the Citizenship & Service-Learning director has also added oversight of the Fuse program, operating the eJournal of Public Affairs (EJOPA), and co-leading the multi-year long, university-wide Carnegie Re-Classification for Community Engagement to her list of responsibilities. We have an opportunity to help create stronger connections between student work or research and addressing real issues in the community On the surface, it's easy to say that this all serves to underscore her commitment to serving the university's public affairs mission. That's certainly part of the equation, but the rest reveals a more complex strategy: a future that envisions more holistic and highly connective forms of service-learning. When asked, Dr. Nordyke defines it as a civic engagement mindset: "With attributes of civic engagement at the front of the thought process, we have an opportunity to help create stronger … [Read more...] about Civic engagement through strategic programming