Photography Students Produce Images to Support Community Organizations Thirteen photography students produced 285 images in the spring semester to support the work of nine community organizations, Associate Professor Scott Weber reported recently. Juniors and seniors majoring in photography produced the images as a service-learning requirement in Prof. Weber’s documentary photography course, offered this spring for the first time. The students partnered with organizations serving the community to document the organizations’ work. Each partnering organization identified specific photography needs and guided students to produce photographs that reflected its mission. The students provided the photographs to community partners for use in programming and promotions. The service-learning project culminated with a reflection session attended by students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Students showcased the photographs and reflected on their experiences as well as the lessons learned. Their experiences were “enjoyable” and “rewarding”; they learned “a sense of responsibility” and to be sensitive to the needs of others. The partnering organizations were Catholic Relief Services of Colombia, Chapman Partnership, National Psoriasis Foundation – South Florida Division, Humane Society of Greater Miami, I Love Yoga Studio, North Miami Foundation for Senior Citizens, Pet Projects for Pets, Special Olympics Florida – Miami-Dade County, and South Florida Wildlife Center. “The students gave extremely valuable service,” said Ali Sprott-Roen, volunteer manager of Special Olympics Florida – Miami-Dade County. Chapman Partnership Marketing Manager Alec Rosen pointed out that images produced by the students captured services such as case management, housing placement, and medical assistance provided by his organization in Homestead and Downtown Miami. Mr. Rosen said the images would be used at the organization’s website, in social media, and in marketing materials. |
Social Work Students Reflect on Service-Learning Bachelor of Social Work students taking a service-learning course participated in a symposium just before the end of the spring semester. The SW 323 students reflected on their community-based assignments with Food for the Poor, Gratigny Elementary School, Sinai Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Special Olympics Florida. Students indicated that they learned the value of service, to be patient, and to appreciate diversity. Some students “moved out of their comfort zone,” observed Ali Sprott-Roen, volunteer manager of Special Olympics Florida – Miami-Dade County. Dr. Aaron Enteen, principal of Gratigny, thanked the nine students assigned to his school for their “exceptionally good job.” He presented a gift to each student. “Having the students has been a blessing,” noted Sinai Plaza’s Activities Director Diane Bader. SW 323, the brainchild of Bachelor of Social Work Program Director Jennifer Williams, is the only course at Barry dedicated to service-learning. Dr. Mitch Rosenwald, associate professor of social work, was the course instructor. In her remarks at the service-learning symposium, Dean Phyllis Scott said the course contributed to students’ appreciation of the meaning of giving as they experienced the joy of giving. Paraphrasing Gandhi, Dr. Scott said, “It is only when we lose ourselves in service to others that we truly understand ourselves.” |
CCSI Registering Faculty in Learning Community The Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) is registering faculty as members of the Faculty Learning Community for Engaged Scholarship (FLC). “The FLC is an interdisciplinary group of faculty members who engage in an active, collaborative, yearlong program focusing on the scholarship of engagement,” explained Dr. Glenn Bowen, director of the CCSI. “Also known as community-engaged scholarship, the scholarship of engagement integrates work in the areas of teaching, research, and/or service that addresses community issues,” Dr. Bowen added. “The FLC provides an intellectual venue in which faculty can exchange ideas with an academically diverse group and learn from one another’s experiences.” Faculty members interested in joining the FLC are asked to contact the CCSI director at gbowen@barry.edu. |
Faculty and Staff Urged to Contribute Box Tops Faculty and staff members are urged to contribute box tops as part of the campus-wide collection drive that is still underway. For each box top – from groceries and household products – that is donated, For further information, contact Dr. Stephanie Bingham, the MAPS faculty advisor, at sbingham@barry.edu. |
The CCSI Newsletter is being published less frequently until the start of the new academic year, in August. The next issue will be published on June 9. Other issues will be out on June 23, July 14 and 28, and August 11. Regular weekly issues of the newsletter will resume on August 25. |
CCSI Newsletter
Posted On : May 27, 2014
