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To Whom Much Is Given

2007 Conference on Service Learning in Higher Education

Conference Schedule

Breakout Block III

2:00-2:45 Sessions

Perspectives on the Role of State Government in Addressing Poverty  (Central Bank Room)

Results from the 2007 Alabama Kids Count Data Book, released in July, will be discussed.  The Data Book uses the best available data to measure the educational, social, economic and physical well-being of children and families state by state. In the publication, Alabama improved in four and grew worse in six measures, showing an overall national ranking of 48^th (a decline from 43^rd in the previous year). A panel of Alabama legislators will respond to the Kids Count results, and discuss the challenges and possibilities of addressing poverty through legislative policy making.

Representative Patricia Todd (District 54, Birmingham)

Representative Mike Ball (District 10, Madison)

Representative Merika Coleman (District 57, Birmingham)

Exploring the "So What? Now What?" Question: Documenting Impact and Scholarship in Faculty Reward Systems (Birmingham Room)

Geared towards faculty members who are beginning to pursue scholarship in service learning, this session will provide a brief overview of contemporary issues regarding documentation of service learning as scholarship in higher education, ideas for places to publish and present, and resources for review, promotion and tenure.

KerryAnn O'Meara (Associate Professor, Higher Education, University of Maryland College Park)

K-12 Collaboration through Service Learning  (Wilson Room)

Learning through Teaching: A Partnership between University Science Education and an Inner-City Elementary School

This presentation describes an on-going, seven-year program that pairs University general education science students with inner city children. The University students learn science material related to the fifth grade curriculum, develop hands-on lessons, and present these lessons to the fifth graders every week for six to eight weeks.

Elizabeth G. Dobbins (Associate Professor, Biology, Samford University)

Creating a Quality Experience for Mentors and Mentees

This presentation discusses the development of strong one-on-one academic mentoring relationships with at-risk children living in poverty. Our discussion will cover the skill building approach and philosophical framework that results in a rewarding experience for both mentors and mentees.

Star Bloom (Adjunct Instructor, Honors College, The University of Alabama)

Lessons Learned from Year One of a Summer Enrichment Program

This session describes lessons learned from the first year of the Tuscaloosa Academic Enrichment Program (TAEP), a free summer enrichment program for students transitioning from eight to ninth grade. Presenters include a co-founder and university students who taught the literacy lessons as part of a service learning requirement.

Brandi Hodo (Student, The University of Alabama)

Leah Stoudenmeir (Student, The University of Alabama)

Addressing Hunger through Service Learning  (Mason Room)

Universities Fighting World Hunger: The Auburn Hunger Model

In 2004, AU partnered with the World Food Programme to launch a student-led campaign to fight world hunger. Formation of the “Universities Fighting World Hunger” network followed. This session addresses the Auburn Hunger Model for engaging university students and faculty in a multi-disciplinary united effort to address global and domestic hunger.

Jennifer Kerpelman (Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University)

David Buys (Doctoral Student, Auburn University)

Feeding the Hungry: A Campus and Community Partnership

Panelists will discuss the work of the Deacon’s Food Pantry at University Presbyterian Church, which houses a campus ministry program for Presbyterians at The University of Alabama. Community members join college students in volunteerism to provide food to over 600 people per month who are in need.

Paige Miller (Deacon, University Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa)

Culture, Creativity and the Arts  (Nichols Room)

Pursuing the State’s Potential: Arts and Humanities for the Public Good

Panelists will discuss the ways in which, for over twenty years, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities, outreach unit for the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, has strengthened the bonds between the academic community and the general public through arts and humanities initiatives in schools, towns and communities around the state.  Panelists will discuss how arts and humanities programs provide interdisciplinary educational experiences, provide a critical approach to alleviating poverty, and enrich the lives of citizens of all ages.

Mark Wilson (Program Coordinator, Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities, Auburn University)

Jay Lamar (Director, Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities, Auburn University)

Shirley Spears (Director, B.B. Comer Memorial Library, Sylacauga)

The Politics of Culture, Creativity, and Poverty: Is Alabama a Civil Society?

This presentation suggests the need to review some of the basic assumptions of our educational system.  New approaches are needed based on broader conceptions of young people’s abilities, and ways to promote their motivation and self-esteem.  In the presenter’s view, creativity is possible in all areas of human activity and all young people and adults have creative capacities.  Developing these capacities involves a balance between teaching skills and understanding as well as promoting the freedom to innovate and take risks.

Scott Bridges (Director, Creative Campus Initiative, The University of Alabama)

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