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
By Charlie Whitaker and Taylor Ware It's not the first time Lori Rogers has explored ways to innovate in her courses. Doesn't take long in a conversation with her to know that she cares deeply about her students and wants them to succeed, so she generally likes to try new things. That said, she has a refreshingly realistic view of the strengths and challenges of teaching English courses to modern students. One of the more recurring challenges is passive engagement. In many writing courses, one can almost see yet another lesson whoosh over a student's head like a gust of wind as they ponder how it all applies to them in real life. Through service-learning, Rogers appears to have found an answer for actively engaging her students more consistently: “agentic service-learning.” "It’s added another level of cognition that encourages students to really take agency in their scholarship.” Rogers smiles and is quick to explain what that means. “The biggest difference I see in terms of student learning is that much of their past service-learning work has been reflective, and that’s … [Read more...] about Lori Rogers explains her smart method for getting students to “really take agency in their scholarship.”
Faculty - let your students know it's not too late to enroll in a 1-credit Service-Learning course for the spring of 2021 with no late fees. Service-learning is a great way for students to connect what they are learning in your class with real-world experiences. The Registrar's Office allows enrollment for a 1-credit service-learning course throughout the semester. There is no deadline as long as students can complete their 40 hours with a community partner learning site. Please encourage your students to consider service-learning. We have great placement opportunities that include, but are not limited to: Clinical Students - BIO/BMS - Work with the Diabetic Retinopathy program - We still need about 20 students - hands on clinical care Clinical and Social Work/Sociology/Psychology Students - Work with Empower Abilities (formerly the Southwest Center for Independent Living) to work with some 600 patients and their caregivers doing well checks/clinical assessments/scheduling for COVID vaccine - flexible hours, hands-on (remote); training provided. Opportunity for … [Read more...] about Faculty: there’s still time for service-learning enrollment