Campus News Georgia Impact

Six faculty members awarded Scholarship of Engagement Grants

The Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach has awarded six Scholarship of Engagement Grants for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The grants, ranging from $4,610 to $8,000, support projects by academic and public service faculty members who combine public service and outreach with teaching and research activities.

“UGA’s public service and outreach mission is to enhance the quality of life in Georgia by applying the knowledge of the university to the state’s economic, social and community needs,” said Steve Wrigley, interim vice president for public service and outreach. “To accomplish this mission, one of PSO’s three strategic goals is to enhance UGA’s learning and research by supporting faculty members who engage in public service and outreach activities.

“The Scholarship of Engagement Grants program is one of a number of programs that the office of the vice president supports to meet this goal,” he added.

Since 2004, the Scholarship of Engagement Grants program has supported public service and outreach projects by UGA faculty members.

This year, priority was given to projects in Georgia that include a service-learning opportunity for students; that demonstrate collaboration among faculty members in the schools, colleges and public service units; and that have an assessment-of-impact plan built into them.

The 2010-2011 Scholarship of Engagement grant recipients, their department and project titles are:

  • Scott Ardoin, educational psychology and instructional technology, “Training Intervention and Assessment Skills to Undergraduates and Teachers;”
  • Cheryl Fields-Smith, elementary and social studies education, “Griffin to Athens: Career Awareness and Aspirations for Middle School Students in Underserved Communities;”
  • Dale Gauthreaux, Institute for Leadership Advancement, “Capstone Service-Learning Projects;”
  • Betina Kaplan, Romance languages, “Spanish Adult Literacy Program at Pinewoods Library;”
  • Bryan McCullick, kinesiology, “Addressing the Physical and Cognitive Development of Children in After-School Programs;” and
  • Svoboda Pennisi, horticulture (Griffin Campus), “Engaging Students via Outreach Programs in Urban Water Conservation.”