05/18/12 ci
HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University's Provost’s Service-Learning
Faculty Fellows Program has named the second generation of service-learning
fellows. They will begin work on July 1, 2012.
The application process requires interested faculty to submit a
description of their service-learning project, a statement of why they are
motivated to participate in service learning, and what he or she expects to
gain from their involvement in the program.
Training is split into two phases. The first phase, professional
development, requires fellows to participate in an orientation and development
workshop, develop a service-learning course and serve as a member of the
Service-Learning Committee.
The second phase, academic leadership, requires presentations on the
purpose and practice of service learning to internal and external audiences in
addition to teaching at least one course that includes a service-learning
component. Fellows will also be asked to meet a number of expectations and
responsibilities contained in the program’s charter document.
The individuals selected to serve as service-learning fellows are:
Dr. Lorie Cook-Benjamin, assistant professor of teacher education in
the College of Education and Technology.
Dr. Joyce Ellis, assistant professor of health and human performance in the College
of Health and Life Sciences.
Javier Leung, instructional designer for the Center for Teaching Excellence and
Learning Technologies.
Dr. Kim Perez, chair of the Department of History in the College of Arts and
Sciences.
Dr. Chapman Rackaway, associate professor of political science in the College
of Arts and Sciences.
Cook-Benjamin’s service-learning project will create a virtual
clinical-based practice for FHSU students to work with students at the Volcanes
Primary School in Mexico.
FHSU students in Ellis’ service-learning project will provide one hour
of structured physical activity to Washington Elementary School students each
Friday.
Leung will develop tools and templates for faculty members to
implement service-learning components in virtual classes.
Local history will be the focus of Perez’s service-learning project. Her
students will research a local history topic and present their findings to the
community through various methods.
Rackaway will challenge both on-campus and virtual students to
revitalize the “Students of Hays America” organization to raise awareness and
gain support for a common purpose using social media tools.
Instituted by FHSU Provost Dr. Larry Gould and the university’s
Service-Learning Committee, the faculty fellows program is designed to increase
the number of service-learning courses and contribute to the integrity and
value of service learning as a part of tenure, promotion, sabbatical, merit,
and decision-making processes.
The program is supported in cooperation with resources provided by
George Welch and the Welch Charitable Fund. Welch is a successful entrepreneur
in real-estate development, transportation, manufacturing, finance, and
banking.
For
more information on the Service Learning Committee or the service learning
fellows, contact Dr. Stacey Smith, committee chair, at slgsmith@fhsu.edu.
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