ENGAGING LEADERSHIPoffice of experiential education and civic engagement

contents

Director’s Comments ........................1

Campus-based student engagement ....................2

Call for 2012-2013 teaching scholars ....2

Upcoming Events ........3

explore experiential learning opportunities ................4

Experiential learning end of course survey .................................4

Engaging Community commitments .................5

The 2nd campus-wide canned food drive ...5

Non-Profit Internship Opportunities ................6

February/ March 2012

Director’s Comments:

Experiential Learning Requirement:

Year in Review and Fall 2012 Debut!

During this time last year, it was so dark and cloudy that I considered traveling to a department store to purchase a yellow plastic “sunshine” blow up. It was the only thing I could think of to bring some sunshine into the office. This winter has been the complete opposite. The light of spring has been shining on us for several months and I am confident that it will be here as we prepare to end the current academic year and ponder what the Fall 2012-2013 academic year will bring.

The 2011-2012 academic year has been phenomenal! Since opening in April 2009, the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement (OEECE) has created and supported experiential learning courses and non-course based experiences that rendered a value to the community estimated at more than $1 million dollars. The number of community partnerships available through OEECE has increased 5 fold, the number of experiential learning courses profiled in the online database have doubled, and OEECE has been recognized by the Higher Learning Commission Action Project Directory for making excellent progress towards an engaged institution. In addition, 234 courses have been approved by the URCC for ELR designation beginning Fall 2012. The OEECE has benefited from the support and collaboration with the Faculty Professional Development Center, University Requirements Curriculum Committee, Quality Initiatives and Curriculum, KSU- Campus Kitchen, College of Communication and Information, TeleProductions, Dining Services, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Undergraduate Studies, and the Office of the President. As always, we appreciate the support and look forward to maintaining and buiding more relationships. Learn more about OEECE’s progress by accessing our website to review Quarterly and Annual Reports.

As Kent State enters the final stretch of the spring semester, you are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities for faculty and students to get involved. Many of these opportunities are detailed throughout the current newsletter and include the: Alternative Spring Break, College Writing II (sections 028 and 037) - 2nd Annual Campus-Wide Canned Food Drive, Teaching Scholars Program, Experiential Learning Faculty Development Workshop series, and the Spring 2012 End-of-Course Experiential Learning Survey.

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The 2012-2013 goals for OEECE mimic the interests of the Division of Academic Affairs. The OEECE will focus on providing more experiential learning and civic engagement opportunities that target lower division undergraduate students, increasing the number of students actively engaged in Portage County service organizations, and increasing the number of faculty who link experiential learning and civic engagement through course-based curriculum.

This is the final publication of the Engaging Leadership newsletter for the year. However, you can expect to receive periodic listserv announcements to keep you abreast and connected. The OEECE is open throughout the summer to support your experiential learning needs and interests. Feel free to stop by 203 Moulton Hall, visit the website at www.kent.edu/experiential, email experiential@kent.edu, or call the office at 330-672-7876

Have a Wonderful Summer!

Tina L. Kandakai, PhDDirector OEECE

Dr. Tina L. Kandakai

Exciting Opportunities Engaged Learning

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Campus-Based Student

EngagementThe Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement (OEECE) is conducting outreach targeting campus centers and departments. Over the upcoming weeks, OEECE staff will be meeting with campus directors to explore their interest in serv-ing as sites for experiential learning and student engagement. The premise behind campus-based engagement parallels that of the community. As such, campus-based experiential learning and engagement may:

• Influence student retention by increasing students’ sense of connectedness to the institution.• Reduce barriers to community engagement that are associ-ated with transportation.• Allow for early student application of knowledge and skills beyond the classroom.• Provide skilled resources to departments who could benefit from supplemental support. • Increases opportunities for cross-disciplinary and cross-divi-sion collaborations.

If you are interested in serving as a site for campus-based student engagement, please send inquiries or schedule an ap-pointment with the OEECE director, Dr. Tina L. Kandakai, via graduate assistant Colleen Fitzgibbons at cfitzgib@kent.edu or by telephone at (330)372-7876.

Call for 2012-2013 teaching scholars

Experience doesn’t mean learning happens, as faculty members our role is to facilitate the environment to promote learning for any experience, be it a lab, a course of case studies, or community participatory research. KSU’s Teaching Scholars promotes the scholarly inquiry into the relation-ship between teaching, learning, and experience. The 2012-2013 cohort will be the second to include all full-time faculty at Kent State Univer-sity. Those interested in conducting scholarly examinations of strategies designed to enhance student learn-ing are encouraged to apply. This program continues to be built around collaborative relationships with inter-disciplinary faculty colleagues and student associates engaging in the scholarly examination of learning. The primary goal of this program is to support faculty in the design, implementation, and assessment of scholarly projects that identify and create significant learning environ-ments.

To apply for the 2012-2013 Teaching Scholars Program, due March 30, 2012, please click here.

Pay it Forward - Community Agency Grant Submissions Due• Contact Denise A. Harrison for more informatin at kpascommunityservice@gmail.com• April 9, 2012

Spring Job & Internship Fair• Tuesday, April 3, 12-4 p.m. (KSC Ballroom)Click here for other Non-Profit/Non-Paid Internship Opportunities made available through the OEECE Call ((330)672-8723) or e-mail (experiential@kent.edu) the OEECE to obtain direct contact info!

Building Experiences for Quality Learning Workshops: • Thursday, April 26, 3-10:00a.m.-12:00 p.m. (319 KSC)• Friday, April 27, 1:00p.m.-3:00 p.m. (319 KSC)

Upcoming Super Service SaturdaysContact Elizabeth Bosworth for questions and to sign up at ebosworth@kent.eduMarch 31, April 14, April 26

FPDC Consultations Explore Series• Clickers – Additional Software Wed., April 11, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. or 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (038 Moulton Hall)• Skype Friday, April 20, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 5 – 6 p.m. (038 Moulton Hall)

Community-Campus Partnerships for Health Conference• April 18-21• Houston, TX

National Society for Experiential Education ConferenceOctober 3-5Milwaukee, WI

OEECEUpcoming Events

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Exciting Opportunities For Engaged Learning

explore experiential learning opportunities via the course

database

The Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement (OEECE) has an online database designed to identify, advertise, and track experiential learning oppor-tunities at Kent State University. Faculty and teaching staff are encouraged to submit courses infused with experiential learning courses to the database. Click here to add or view existing course.

Faculty and teaching staff who add a course(s) to the on-line database helps to: • Showcase available options to students. • Provide course-based experiential learning examples to other faculty. • Increase institutional awareness of experiential learning opportunities within departments.

If time keeps you from adding your course(s) to the database, the OEECE can help, just follow these steps: 1. Identify the course(s) name, associated syllabus and semester offered. 2. Submit the above information and PDF copy of the syllabus to OEECE at experiential@kent.edu. 4. If possible, identify the category of Engaged Learning (see below) that best characterizes your course(s).

For additional inquires, contact Dr. Tina L. Kandakai at experiential@kent.edu or 330-672-7876.

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Spring 2012 Experiential Learning

End-of-Course Survey

Faculty and teaching staff at Kent State will have the opportunity to facilitate student completion of the Experiential Learning End-of-Course Survey. The survey is designed to assess the influence of experiential learning on student retention as well as their academic, professional, and personal development. The survey poses questions that link experiential learning to the general education requirements and the 21st century philosophy. The study would benefit the institution by providing unique insights into the role of experiential learning in influencing: student academic outcomes and retention.

Upon request, participating faculty will be provided data specific to their course(s) which could be used to advance their own scholarship. Should faculty be interested in obtaining comparative data, this survey could also be distributed to students taking the same course (with you) who are not engaged in experiential learning. The survey will be available April 6, 2012 through May 6, 2012.

Please contact the OEECE Director at experiential@kent.edu for additional inquires. The survey has received KSU IRB approval (#11-426). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact W. Grant McGimpsey, Ph.D., Vice President for Research at the Division of Research in 114 Cartwright Hall, wmcgimps@kent.edu, or call 330-672-0717.

Exciting Opportunities For EngageD Learning

Through our partnership with African American Lifestyle Magazine feature stories on various programs, activities, and opportunities that demonsrate a commitment to civic engagement. The “Community-Collaborations” section of the magazine provides a platform for Kent State University faculty and students, local service organizations, and businesses to assist in raising social consciousness regarding the civic needs and supports for the community. If you would like to serve as a reference or model for sucessful community-based initiatives, we want to publish your story. To get started, please provide a written response to the items below: • Background/history on your program. • Priority social issues, programs, and initiatives. • Collaborative relationships developed with other community agencies/departments or that are under development with KSU. • How can the community, faculty, and KSU students get connected and involved? • Are there volunteer or internship opportunities available for students? • Other relevant information. • Include any high quality photos of yourself, your company logo, and photos taken during programs, community outreach, and related meetings.

Submit all information and documents by the 14th of each month to the Director of the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement at Kent State University. For related inquiries, contact Dr. Kandakai via e-mail experiential@kent.edu or by telephone at (330)372-7876.

Engaging community commitments: Collaborating with African American Lifestyle Magazine

KSU student Debra Dickinson working with kindergarten children on patterns and shapes during a math concepts activity.(Photo credit: Janice Kroeger)

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PAY IT FORWARD: STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES THROUGH

STUDENT-LED PHILANTHROPY

The 2nd Annual Campus-Wide Canned Food DriveMarch 27, 28, 29We will have boxes place throughout the campus and in dorms. We will collect food donations from the Kent extended community through a door hang tag campaign.Sponsors: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Earth Fare: The Healthy Super Mar-ket, The Campus Kitchen at Kent State University, and the Women’s Center.All food collected on campus will stay here in Kent, OH. Donations will go to Campus Kitchen at Kent State, Kent Social Services, and the Women’s Center Pantry.

Andrew Flounders and kindergarten children participate in dramatic play.(Photo credit: Janice Kroeger)

Exciting Opportunities For EngageD Learning

Non-Profit/Non-Paid Internship OpportunitiesCall 330.672.8723 or e-mail experiential@kent.edu to obtain direct contact info!Information is also available directly from the OEECE office in Moulton Hall.

African American Lifestyle Magazinehttp://www.aa-lifestyle.comService Opportunities: trend writers who can appeal to young adults 21- 30 years old, journalists, media coverage, photo journalism, editors, feature writers – on any topic related to their discipline and youth (including, health, politics, violence, nutrition, trends in technology, communications).Relevant Majors: Design, English, Journalism, Pan-African Studies

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.http://www.abc.orgService Opportunities: Marketing, public relations, web designRelevant Majors: Architecture, Business Management, Production Technology, Physics, Engineering

Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Portage Countywww.bbsportage.orgService Opportunities: Develop PR materials for events, recruitment, fundraising, write and submit PSAs, create newsletterRelevant Majors: Non-Profit Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Sales, Business, Event Planning, Business Management, Journalism

Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Carewww.crossroadshospice.comService Opportunities: Assist with developing Life Journals to preserve memories and history of loved ones Relevant Majors: Family and Consumer Sciences, Public Health, English, Gerontology, Psychology, Nursing, English

SPRING JOB & INTERNSHIP FAIRTuesday, April 3, 2012, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Kent Student Center BallroomSponsored by Career Services

Energy Instruction Group LLC www.greenappleproject.comService opportunities: workshop presentation coordinator, data collection and research, public relations, public speakingRelevant Majors: Science, Biology, Public Relations, Communications, Advertising

Freedom House for Women, Inc.http://www.fh4women.orgService Opportunities: Volunteers and Interns are needed to transfer education experience into real-life application of working within the organization and assisting with current needs and projects (grant writing, organizational development, marketing, technical writing, and more)Relevant Majors: Non-profit Management, English, MIS, Human Resource Management/Administrative, Adult Education

Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement (KSU)www.kent.edu/experientialService Opportunities: Public Relations, marketing, program planningRelevant Majors: Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Information Systems

Portage Learning Centers (Head Start and Early Head Start)http://portagelearningcenters.comService opportunities: Volunteers and interns needed for event planning for events such as Reverse Raffle, Government Day, Enrollment Fairs, etc. Other opportunities include website design, and development of a promotional video to be shown at events and speaking engagementsRelevant Majors: Communications, Non-Profit Management, Graphic Design, Web Design, Event Planning The Community Corpswww.thecommunitycorps.orgService Opportunities: Identify technology needs for a nonprofit, communicate and post projects on the Community Corps websiteRelevant Majors: MIS, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, IS, IT

Students, are you looking for unique and diverse settings to apply your knowledge and skills? If so, the OEECE can help you with that.

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