Programs submitted on USIs community service honor roll application included:
Saturday Art Workshop: Developed and coordinated by Dr. Joseph Uduehi, associate professor of art education, this program provides elementary and art education majors teaching opportunities before their professional student teaching semester. The two-day workshop also provides art experiences for children in the community to enhance the art lessons they receive at school and serves as a source of outreach from the University.
USI partnership with the Juan Diego Center: Students and faculty from nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, and social work delivered a variety of health services and health screenings to the Hispanic population at the Juan Diego Center in Evansville. The program increased student cultural diversity of clinical education and promoted learning of advocacy, caring, tolerance, respect, communication, and clinical competence. Participants also learned about collaboration and the roles of other disciplines and community agencies.
Raising Awareness through On Court Meeting: With 86 percent of their students at or below the poverty level and a large percentage not meeting academic state standards, Glenwood Middle School worked with USIs Department of Athletics and Department of Physical Education to teach middle school students how to play tennis. USI students also assisted students with homework, computer usage, character development, and team building while reinforcing etiquette/sportsmanship behaviors appropriate in tennis and in life. Assessment results indicated an increased interest in college attendance by students at Glenwood Middle School and a significant change in attitudes by USI students in regards to opportunities in making a positive impact through volunteerism.
CNCS, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award.
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is overseen by CNCS in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service. For a full list of recipients, visit www.NationalService.gov/HonorRoll.
CNCS is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve.
