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The Service-Learning Initiative awarded three grants to support development of service-learning courses and three grants for enhancement of existing courses. The criteria for selection of these projects were:

• A focus on community goals
• Project design created collaboratively by interdisciplinary university/community teams
• Development of partnership for sustained community-based activity

1. An Afterschool Service-Learning Project to Address Childhood Obesity

Gail Kaye, Program Director, Department of Human Nutrition, College of Education and Human Ecology; Partner: YMCA of Central Ohio

Course: Human Nutrition 704

Students enrolled in HN 704 Community Nutrition learned how data about childhood obesity in Franklin County were used to develop “Food Fit,” a behavior change nutrition curriculum for elementary school children at risk for childhood obesity. They participated in mentoring training (FirstLink) and were trained to deliver six Food Fit lessons at four YMCA after-school sites. Expected student outcomes include improved academic and communication skills, appreciation of the value of civic participation, and better preparedness for participation in a diversified work force. Children who participated in Food Fit acquired nutrition skills designed to decrease their risk for childhood obesity. Read more (PDF, 261KB)

2. Building Concepts—and a House—with Cultural Universals in the Post-Katrina South

Thomas O’Brien, Associate Professor, School of Teaching and Learning, OSU Mansfield; Partners: Hattiesburg-Area Habitat for Humanity; University of Southern Mississippi

Course: Education T&L 884.08

This community-based project, a collaboration with Hattiesburg’s Habitat for Humanity, addressed a community goal by providing key labor to help a low-income family construct and move into a shelter. The goal of this project was to give students enrolled in a graduate education course (1) an intensive, community-based experience in home-building and (2) theoretical knowledge of the cultural universal (CU) of shelter and other cultural universals so that they can use them to teach young children effectively. The project also aimed to give them an intensive experience in a community so that they may use that experience as a platform on which to create community service learning experiences for young children they will later teach. For 2 weeks each year during the summers of 2007, 2008, and 2009, students will participate in the construction of a house in the Hattiesburg area. As part of the course, students attend traditional classes and explore the theoretical underpinnings and applications of teaching and learning the social studies through cultural universals. Read more (PDF, 258KB)

3. Service-Learning through Collaborative Art in Weinland Park

Karen Hutzel, Assistant Professor, Department of Art Education; Partner: Catherine Girves, Director, University Area Enrichment Association

Course: Art Education 693D

The purpose of this project was to connect college students in art education with youth in the Weinland Park area to create collaborative art about the community’s assets. Students in the online master’s degree program for practicing art teachers were paired with neighborhood youth through a partnership with the University Area Enrichment Association. The project effectively combined art education, service-learning, and asset-based community development. The community received a lasting gift in the form of artwork that will serve as a symbol of the university’s commitment. Read more—and see the artwork (PDF, 456KB)

1. Improving Access to Health Care

Randi Love, Clinical Associate Professor, College of Public Health; Alexis Downing, Auxiliary Clinical Faculty, College of Nursing

A major initiative of Columbus Public Health is to improve access to health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas in the city. Students enrolled in Nursing 511: Community Care of Vulnerable Populations will conduct an environmental scan (“windshield survey”) and an assessment of health care availability for zip codes 43223, 43204, and 43228 located on the west side of Columbus. Students enrolled in Public Health 850: Public Health in Action will conduct focus groups with community residents and key informant interviews with residents and service providers in this area. Data will be analyzed and compiled into a final report that will assist Columbus Public Health in the community assessment process, ultimately culminating in an action plan for the identified community that will address access issues. Columbus Public Health will be better positioned to assist this community in working to increase access to healthy care, inform residents about problems in their health care system, provide the necessary groundwork for suggesting strategies that will bring accessible health care into the community, and to help the community prioritize its efforts.

2. Integrated Arts Curriculum Project

Patricia Stuhr, Professor, Department of Art Education; Christine Ballengee-Morris, Associate Professor, Department of Art Education; Partners: Jan Fedorenko, Principal, Hanby Elementary School, Westerville School District; Sharon Buda, Wyandot Elementary School, Dublin School District

This project provides a coherent, multidimensional model for school improvement by developing and implementing integrated curriculum through professional learning communities. Advanced student art educators will convey their understanding of and skills in art as an instrument of learning and engage classroom teachers in using art methods and pedagogy as they collaboratively design interdisciplinary curriculum for participating elementary schools. Running concurrently with local school partnerships is a proposed sequence of three courses (5-credit hours each) that will bring current theoretical understanding of integrated curriculum and arts into classroom practice. Through changing service learning placements throughout the academic year, this course sequence challenges students to understand multiple issues arising from different school environments, cultures, school structures, and to apply their varied skills to curricular decision making and classroom challenges affecting school reform.

3. Learning across Borders: Service in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Vicki Pitstick, Program Manager, University Honors and Scholars; Jennifer Rathbun, Senior Lecturer, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, College of Humanities; Partner: Ohio Hispanic Coalition

The Honors and Scholars Center, in cooperation with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, will initiate an International Service-Learning course culminating in a short-term study abroad experience in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico for Ohio State Honors and Scholars students. This community-based, educational program will provide students with opportunities to deepen their academic and intercultural understanding, take global civic responsibility, and enhance their ability to work with people from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students will participate in service experiences in Columbus, Ohio that will parallel those they participate in while in Ciudad Juarez. They will become familiar with the theory behind service-learning and be able to apply it to their international experience Both the on-campus course and the abroad study experience will focus on a current social issue that not only clearly affects the United States but also our international destination. Issues related to border communities, seen from historical, geographical, socioeconomic, medical, and cultural perspectives, offer a rich context for service-learning.

The Service-Learning Initiative awarded four grants to support development of service-learning courses (up to $12,000). The criteria for selection of these projects were:

• A focus on community goals
• Project design created collaboratively by interdisciplinary university/community teams
• Development of partnership for sustained community-based activity

1. University Connections: Mentoring at Lima Senior High School

Doug Sutton-Ramspeck, Lecturer, Writing Center Director, Ohio State Lima Instructor, English 467; Lynn Sametz, K-12 Outreach Director, Service Learning Coordinator, Ohio State Lima Instructor, Education T & L 694.50; Jeff McClellan, Principal, Multiple Intelligences, Lima Senior; Doug Kent, Principal, Progressive, Lima Senior; Judy Shisler, Principal, Performance Based, Lima Senior

Courses: Education T&L 694.5, English 467

The goal of University Connections: Mentoring at Lima Senior High School was to create mentoring connections between OSU Lima students and students at Lima Senior High School. The project sought to create sustained relationships between the college and high school students and expose both groups to life experiences different from what each has known. Students experienced diversity with respect to race, age, economic status, and size and characteristics of hometown. Academic content was connected to the service-learning experience at Lima Senior High School in two ways. As students learned about tutoring theory and composition pedagogy, they were exposed to a variety of student-centered and one-on-one approaches to the improvement of writing skills. In turn, high school students were tutored to increase their performance on standardized tests, were involved in the production of a literary journal, and participated in an OSU Lima campus day to further expose the high school students to college life. (SLI report, PDF, 437KB; Impact report, PDF, 344KB)

2. Incorporation of Nutritional Health Promotion and Oral Health Care for the Poor and Underserved Population in Downtown Columbus: An OSU Service-Learning Initiative

Abdel R. Mohammad DDS, MS, MPH, Professor, College of Dentistry; Gail L. Kaye, PhD, RD, LD, LPCC, Program Director, Nutrition, Department of Human Nutrition; Beverly Kelbaugh, Director of Franklin County Extension; 2006-2007 Class of Dietetic Interns; 2006-2007 Senior Class of Dental Students; Family Practice Clinic at 1405 S High Street

Courses: Dentistry 522, Human Nutrition 789

This collaboration between faculty in the College of Dentistry and Department of Human Nutrition and staff of Access Health Columbus sought to enhance the quality of healthcare services for underserved populations. Access Health Columbus, Inc., identified, screened, and referred patients to the dental clinic located within the Family Practice Clinic at 1405 S High St., Columbus. This project provided comprehensive dental care, nutrition education and diet counseling to patients at risk of heart disease, stroke, and diet-related disease. Students in the dental and nutrition service-learning courses focused on social and public policy circumstances that contribute to the problem of inadequate access to health care services will be discussed. Both classes provided opportunities for students to discuss how social and public policy could facilitate solutions for this problem. Journals and weekly logs were used to help students reflect upon their service activities and to help them make better connections between theory and practice. (SLI report, PDF, 249KB; Impact report, PDF, 344KB)

3. Mission Possible: Providing Quality Programming in Mathematics at the Culliver Reading Center through Service-Learning

Terri Bucci, Associate Professor, Education Teaching & Learning, Mathematics Education, OSU Mansfield; Michelle Persinger, Lecturer, Mathematics; Ed Wachtel, Math Instructor; Kris Moloney, Math Instructor and Director of the Conard Learning Center; Angela Holt, Culliver Reading Center Coordinator

Courses: Math 105, 106, 107; Education T&L 708.70; Education T&L 884.23

This collaboration partners Ohio State University faculty in Mathematics and Education with the Culliver Reading Center, a provider of standards-based after-school programs for K-12 students. OSU Mansfield education students (both undergraduate and graduate) will provide tutoring services in reading and math. Graduate students will tutor K-12 students in mathematics and diagnose repetitive errors and misconceptions. Undergraduate students will develop lesson plans that address the documented errors and misconceptions. As part of their lesson plans, undergraduate students will be required to align with the Ohio Standards and incorporate instructional strategies based on best practice research. The lesson plans will then be presented to the Culliver Reading Center for their use. In addition, training will be provided by the OSU Mansfield students to staff and volunteers at the center who assist with mathematics. (SLI report, PDF, 293KB; Impact report, PDF, 344KB)

4. Improving Access to Healthy Food

Randi Love, Clinical Associate Professor, College of Public Health; Jill Clutter, Instructor, School of Allied Medical Professions; Sandy Gill, Coordinator, Cardiovascular Health Initiative, Columbus Public Health

Courses: Allied Medicine 670, Public Health 850

The Improving Access to Healthy Food project pulls together the efforts of The Ohio State University School of Public Health, School of Allied Medical Professionals, and Columbus Public Health. In an effort to support Columbus Public Health with their initiative to improve access to healthy food, students enrolled in Allied Med 670 conducted an environmental scan and a visual food item survey in neighborhood food stores in designated areas of the city. In addition, students enrolled in Public Health 850 conducted focus groups with and administered surveys on healthy food access to community residents. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed and compiled into a final report to assist Columbus Public Health in the community assessment process, ultimately culminating in an action plan addressing access issues for the identified community. This project helps build capacity for Columbus Public Health in increasing access to healthy foods, informing residents about problems in local food systems, providing the necessary groundwork for suggesting strategies to bring healthier food into the community and helping the community prioritize its efforts. (SLI report, PDF, 293KB; Impact report, PDF, 344KB)

Pulling Our Own Strings: Puppets, Diversity, and Service-Learning in Partnership

Daniel Christie, Psychology, OSU Marion; Kaizaad Kotwal, Theatre, OSU Marion; Anne Bower, English, OSU Marion; Eva Dejolsvay-Brook, student, OSU Marion; Dawn Schofield, diversity teacher, Marion Middle School, Marion; Traci Kinsler, YEP Youth Advisor, Marion Community Foundation; Shawn Jackson, diversity coordinator, Marion City Schools

Courses: English 693, Psychology 375, Theatre 405.10, Theatre 489

The project is a collaboration of faculty in psychology, theatre, and English with a middle school and represents an ongoing collaboration between OSU Marion and the Marion Schools. Growing numbers of new immigrants and minority and class issues result in pressures that exacerbate conflicts over “difference.” Middle schoolers learned to write scripts, make puppets, and put on shows that address appreciation for diversity and training in conflict resolution. Ohio State Marion students in psychology assessed middle school students’ stereotypes, prejudices, and intergroup attitudes. Issues identified in the assessment were used by students in theatre to help Grant Middle School students create diverse puppets, scripts, rehearsals, and performances. The middle school students mounted puppet shows for peers and elementary school students, helping students to find positive ways to deal with conflict and to embrace differences. Pre- and post-experience evaluations were conducted. The project was recorded and reported by an English student at Ohio State Marion. (SLI Report, PDF, 417KB; Impact report, PDF, 372KB)

Helping Hands for Healthy Living: A Community Service-Learning Project

Anne Kloos, Physical Therapy; Katie Clark, Nurse Coordinator, Physicians Free Clinic; Sharon Flinn, Occupational Therapy; Margaret Teaford, Occupational Therapy

Courses: Occupational Therapy 795, Physical Therapy 774

The project is a collaboration of faculty in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and the Physicians Free Clinic. Students in the project provided rehabilitation services to underserved Columbus residents at the Physicians Free Clinic, a community health center serving medically indigent individuals in Columbus. The experience also provided opportunities for PT and OT students to learn more about each other’s discipline and to enhance their collaborative skills. The project contained a research component, examining student attitudes about community service and impacts of service provided through the project. The project exposed second-year PT and OT students to community service, provided services to clients, identified community health needs, developed preventive screening programs, and created a management database. (SLI Report, PDF, 249KB; Impact report, PDF, 372KB)

Rebuilding the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Jennifer Evans-Cowley, Assistant Professor, City & Regional Planning, Knowlton School of Architecture

Course: City & Regional Planning 852

With this special University Outreach & Engagement and Service-Learning grant ($2,000 O&E, $5,000 SLI), city and regional planning students in a service-learning course will prepare community plans for rebuilding DeLisle and Saucier in Harrison County, Mississippi, areas that were devastated by the 2005 hurricanes. (SLI Report, PDF, 426KB; Impact report, PDF, 372KB)

Columbus Literacy Council/OSU Literacy Partnership

Mindy Wright, Coordinator, Writing Workshop, English; H. Lewis Ulman, Assistant Dean, College of Humanities; Scott DeWitt, Director, Digital Media Project, English; Nancy Hill McClary, Assistant Director, Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing; Terrell Morgan, Associate Professor, Spanish Linguistics. Community Partners: Mary Passaglia, Executive Director, Columbus Literacy Council; Leroy Boikai, Columbus Literacy Council

Courses: English 367, English 567C, Spanish 367

The Columbus Literacy Council (CLC) and OSU Literacy Partners sought to develop a new learning model that blends reading, writing, and electronic pedagogies. The immediate goal was to investigate how and whether use of computer-assisted software could allow CLC to reach more adults who come there to learn how to read and write in English. Students in English 367 provided a consistent supply of tutors for CLC and deepened their learning about the multifaceted cultures that comprise the “American experience.” The students worked with adult ESL students, providing encouragement and offering assistance with English and with the operation of the computers. OSU students kept a written progress report of CLC students to help keep them on track. They chose a question about literacy to investigate and a genre in which to present their findings. They worked with one of their literacy partners at CLC to produce a project that would be of use to the CLC student. These projects included scrapbooks of English words with the CLC student’s home language translations, applications for jobs or college admission, letters to friends or family, and a description of one CLC student’s art.

Faith, Service, and Youth Wellness: The Columbus Congregations for Healthy Youth (CoCHY) Service-Learning Initiative

Townsand Price-Spratlen, Associate Professor, Sociology; Randi Love, Clinical Associate Professor, Health Behavior and Health Promotion; Kenneth Steinman, Assistant Professor, Health Behavior and Health Promotion. Community Partners: Pastor Glenn Schwerdtfeger, Maynard Avenue United Methodist Church; Ron Ryles, Columbus Health Department Office of Minority Health

Courses: Public Health 850, Sociology 391

Teams from 10 local congregations were matched with graduate students who assisted them in developing health promotion activities for youth. Undergraduate students helped implement these projects, including a health fair for youth, programs on child sexual abuse and youth mental health issues, an abstinence program, a physical activity program, and a sexuality workshop for teens led by clergy and staff from the Columbus Health Department. Working with the congregations was an eye-opening experience for the students. In their reflections, graduate students often expressed surprise that the community partners were unfamiliar with the need to specify realistic outcomes or provide a rationale for why their proposed program should work. The project achieved several goals:

• Congregations became more aware of university resources available to help them create and sustain more effective wellness programming.
• Students became aware of the potential and limitations of working with community partners.
• Teaming created new relationships across the congregations and enabled the university to develop relationships with groups they had not worked with before.

Developing Youth Capacity in the University District

Susan R. Jones, Assistant Professor, Higher Education; Mindy Wright, Coordinator, Writing Workshop, English; Anna Gasiorski and Davida Haywood, Graduate Students/Instructors, Education Policy and Leadership. Community Partners: Cheryl Carter, Executive Director, Neighborhood Services, Inc.; Pastor Glenn Schwerdtfeger, Maynard Avenue United Methodist Church

Courses: Education P&L 271 and 271J, English 567C

The shared vision of university-community partners in The Neighborhood Services, Inc. Youth Program Initiative was to develop an after-school program at Maynard Avenue United Methodist Church for middle school youth in the University District. The original plan called for students to provide tutoring/mentoring and grant writing support for the program. The best partnerships, however, are responsive to changing community needs. Discovering that there were already a large number of underused programs in the area, the project leaders shifted the focus to facilitating the use of existing after-school programs. Students conducted research on community capacity that resulted in creation of an easy-to-read flyer describing after-school programs, so that families could locate the best program for their children. More than 5,000 flyers were distributed at a summer camp, the Neighborhood Services Food Pantry, and area churches.

Service-Learning Initiative
400 Stillman Hall
1947 College Rd
Columbus OH 43210
614.688.3041 . fax 614.688.3884
slearning@osu.edu