Stacey R. Kolomer, an associate professor in the School of Social Work, and Deanna W. McEwen, a public service assistant in the College of Pharmacy, received the university’s 2012 Service-Learning Teaching Excellence Award.
Established in 2011 by the Office of Service-Learning, the award recognizes faculty for excellence in developing, implementing and sustaining academic service-learning opportunities for students in domestic or international settings. Academic service-learning integrates relevant community projects with academic coursework to enhance student learning, develop civic responsibility and address community needs.
Kolomer helps her undergraduate and graduate students develop professional skills and competencies through community engagement with diverse populations across Georgia. In her “Social Work with Older Adults” course, students have the opportunity to work with seniors at interdisciplinary health fairs and through life reviews.
Collaborating with the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, students in her Burn Camp classes work in an intensive weeklong program with burn-injured children as camp counselors and support-group leaders.
McEwen has incorporated service-learning experiences for all second- and third-year pharmacy students, improving their clinical and interpersonal skills through at least 80 hours of direct involvement with the community through four academic courses. These introductory courses involve more than 250 students annually in disease prevention and awareness clinics, health camps and wellness programs.
Recipients receive a $2,500 faculty development award. All full-time, permanent UGA faculty members in any career track are eligible to apply.
