Recognizing Commitment, Innovation, and Partnership

Service learning is truly a collaborative process, and much of the energy and time that goes into successful projects goes unseen. Nearly all SL offices have end-of-the-year recognition events; therefore, we wanted to close another academic year by recognizing some of the exceptional and dedicated individuals involved in service learning.

The winners of the first-annual CSU San Marcos awards for Outstanding Faculty and Outstanding Community Partner in Community Service Learning went to faculty- community partner pair, Professor John Halcon of Education and Casey Family Programs. Students in a pre-service teacher course serve as tutors to foster children through Casey Family Programs. As a co-educator, Casey employee, Michelle Lustig, provides specialized training to students to prepare them for the special needs of foster kids. Since spring 2002, over 700 foster children have received tutoring services.

In May 2005, Nicole Vessel became CSU Northridge’s first recipient of the Maureen S. Rubin Excellence in Service-Learning Award for outstanding service both as a student and a professional. While at CSUN, Ms. Vessel served as a team leader for the Jumpstart program, supervising other college students who are assisting pre-schoolers with early childhood language skills at the Child Care Resource Center, a university partner. Ms. Vessel also received a Pearson Teaching Fellowship from the Jumpstart National Office and was recently hired by the Center as a lead teacher.

Christine Lee and Kerri Ann Uchida, two CSU Sacramento students, were nominated for Campus Compact’s Howard Swearer Award for their work in re-envisioning the interior spaces at Salvation Army homeless shelter buildings. The goal of this interdisciplinary project is to create a vibrant welcoming atmosphere for both clients and staff. Ms. Lee created a three-dimensional model of a “Wall of Hope,” telling the stories of three of the shelter’s clients in photographs, words, and artifacts. Ms. Uchida developed a three-dimensional model of the reconfigured space calling for the expansion of the homeless shelter from its current one story to a three-story tier, and including a roof patio that accommodates the shelter's weekly worship and music services.

Roya Javadpour, engineering professor at Cal Poly, SLO, and her graduate students in manufacturing and industrial engineering class completely renovated the home of a local man who was disabled in a serious auto accident two years ago. In just two weekends, the students ripped out drywall, rewired the entire house, rebuilt the walls, added new flooring and a new roof. These improvements have made the home more accessible while offering students a real life opportunity to plan and manage a technical project.

Professor Victoria Cortez, at CSU Stanislaus, has not only cultivated numerous campus and community partnerships that support youth issues and offer opportunities for her students, but she is also an active community member. Students in her early childhood development course work with young Girl Scouts to empower them to become resourceful, engaged citizens. In addition, Victoria works with the Muir Trail Girl Scout Council to develop age appropriate activities and teach life skills to youth at local after school programs.