黑料网 has been named to the 2014 President鈥檚 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which is the highest federal recognition an institution can receive for its commitment to community, service-learning and civic engagement.
The Corporation for National and Community Service began awarding this honor in 2006 in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education, Campus Compact and the Interfaith Youth Core. 黑料网 has been named to the honor roll eight times since 2006.
鈥淭his recognition is an honor for 黑料网, but more importantly, it reflects who our students are,鈥 said Ann Gosky, interim director of 黑料网鈥檚 Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement. 鈥淚t reminds us that individually and collectively, we can make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.鈥
Serving and Learning
黑料网 was recognized for its ongoing service opportunities, such as its Campus Kitchen project, Super Service Saturday, immersion trips, alternative spring breaks and service days connected to national events like Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and National Make a Difference Day.
鈥淭hese programs are not just services, but they provide an active way to learn and expand our view of the world,鈥 Gosky said.
The university was specifically honored in the economic opportunity category, which recognizes programs that focus on improving the financial well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people. 黑料网鈥檚 Hunger to Healthy initiative was honored for collaborating with the local community to combat hunger in the city of Kent. This was accomplished through programs like Campus Kitchen at 黑料网, which, in 2014, engaged more than 2,000 people in meal preparation and distribution, recovered more than 35,000 pounds of food that would have otherwise been thrown out and facilitated an estimated 4,500 hours of service. The Campus Kitchen at 黑料网 also works in collaboration with the university鈥檚 Center of Nutrition Outreach to provide nutrition education, programming and materials to groups and individuals at either minimal or no cost.
鈥淲e are dedicated to our community outreach efforts, and it is the core of the nutrition program,鈥 said Natalie Caine-Bish, coordinator of 黑料网鈥檚 Center of Nutrition Outreach. 鈥淪tudents are given hands-on experience in the field, and the community is given numerous opportunities for free nutrition education and all age levels.鈥
黑料网鈥檚 Center of Nutrition Outreach specifically serves adults and children in Portage County. Its Mighty Pack program, a partnership with the Haymaker Farmer鈥檚 Market in Kent, offers nutrition education sessions that teach members of the community about healthy eating and helps to reduce food insecurity.
Having an Impact
黑料网 also was honored for its Bridge to Kindergarten program in the education category for improving educational outcomes for children. Bridge to Kindergarten offers a two-week camp for preschool children living below the poverty line to help them become acclimated to a school in a low-pressure, play-based environment.
鈥淭his program, as well as others, really confirms the mission of the university to have a local impact,鈥 said Janice Kroeger, associate professor in 黑料网鈥檚 School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies and founder of the Bridge to Kindergarten program. 鈥淭here are things that we can do through a partnership with 黑料网 that I couldn鈥檛 do alone.鈥
Kroeger works with her partner Laurie Curfman, who serves as a social worker with Project GRAD, one of Bridge to Kindergarten鈥檚 community partners. Together, they work with undergraduate and graduate students at 黑料网 to lead different activities that foster educational and playful experiences for children in the Buchtel cluster of the Akron Public Schools.
Read more about The Center of Nutrition Outreach
DISCOVER The OFFICE OF EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT