What We Do
The Service-Learning Initiative (SLI), in coordination with The Service-Learning Scholars Roundtable and other university and community partners,
- Assists in developing and maintaining collaborative university/community partnerships
- Supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of service-learning courses
- Advises faculty on the S designation for service-learning courses
- Encourages community-based scholarship
- Provides resources to prepare students for community service
- Serves as a hub for service-learning projects and events
SLI is affiliated with the Office of University Outreach and Engagement and works with that office and other affiliated programs that are also housed in Stillman Hall:
- Service-Learning Initiative supports the integration of outreach and engagement into teaching.
- Project GRO enhances the integration of outreach and engagement into research grant proposals.
- OSU CARES/OSU Extension helps units expand their service through partnerships within the university and across Ohio.
- The Office of University Outreach and Engagement works in collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and units to enrich Ohio State’s partnerships with the community and to embed outreach and engagement into colleges and departments.
Staff
Golden Jackson, Program Director, 614.292.4575, e-mail
Golden Jackson provides leadership for efforts to integrate community service with academic learning in the 17 colleges of the university while improving the success of local schools and agencies in meeting the needs of community residents. She has extensive experience in urban housing and family development programs. She provided leadership for two Corporation for National and Community Service Learn and Serve America grants (2000-2003 and 2003-2006) designed to support development of over 40 new service-learning courses. Dr. Jackson was faculty leader of one component of a $400,000 Community Outreach Partnership Center grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (1996-1999). Her work has been recognized with the Dean’s Award for Outreach and Engagement from the College of Human Ecology in 2004 and the Friend of the Guild Award from the Godman Guild Association in 2003, and she was named as one of seven national finalists for the Thomas Ehrlich Award presented by Campus Compact in 2007.
Sandra Kerka, Communications Manager, 614.247.4429, e-mail
Sandra manages publications, publicity, and websites for the Service-Learning Initiative, University Outreach and Engagement, and the P-12 Project. Previously, she managed publications and database processing as associate director of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education and was a writer and editor for LearningWork Connection. She has a BA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from Ohio State and an MS in library science from Case Western Reserve University.
Bethany Christoff, Program Coordinator, 614.247.4439, e-mail
Bethany is program coordinator for the Service-Learning Initiative and University Outreach and Engagement. Prior to working at Ohio State, she was an outreach specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Bethany has a BA in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa and an MS in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Bethany continues to take courses in Environmental Science at Ohio State.
Susi Murnane-Hughes, Office Associate, 614.688.3041, e-mail
Susi has worked at OSU for 10 years. Before Ohio State, she worked in information systems management, computer programming, and systems analysis, switching to accounting when she came to the OSU Chemistry Department. For the Service-Learning Initiative and University Outreach and Engagement, she is responsible for fiscal reconciliations, purchasing, and journal entry creation.
Vicki Reed, Office Assistant, 614.688.3041, e-mail
For the Service-Learning Initiative, University Outreach and Engagement, and Project GRO, Vicki answers the phone, schedules meetings, makes travel arrangements, and performs other office duties. She has worked in computer and office operations for a variety of businesses such as a lingerie company, museum, advertising agency, and public library.
Support Service-Learning at Ohio State
Contributions to the Service-Learning Initiative Fund increase the amount awarded through grants each year. Every dollar you contribute will be earmarked for grants to develop and enhance service-learning courses. The more donors contribute, the more grants will be awarded! To donate to this fund, go to https://www.giveto.osu.edu/igive/index.asp. In the Special Instructions box, enter the name and fund number: Service-Learning Initiative Fund (fund #312453). You can also use this fund number when making a gift through the annual Campus Campaign.
