Faculty Community-Engaged Learning Incentive Award
The Faculty Community-Engaged Learning Incentive Award encourages faculty to link Kenyon curriculum to relevant community interests, knowledge and needs by incorporating community-engaged learning within new and existing courses. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's "A Sense of Place" grant funds this initiative. Find out how to apply for the 2018 fall awards (PDF).
Recipients
Sarah Heidt, associate professor of English (2017)
Students in ENGL 493 IS partnered with a Mount Vernon Middle School class to pilot a program in which Kenyon students mentored seventh-grade language arts students. The seventh-graders gained an additional teacher and apprentice teachers, which increased the amount of one-on-one attention and mentorship each student received; Kenyon students gained practice in observing, designing, implementing and assessing pedagogical activities.
Miriam Dean-Otting, professor of religious studies (2016)
Students of RLST 382, "Prophesy," worked and volunteered with two local organizations, the Salvation Army of Mount Vernon and Interchurch Social Services, with a particular focus on food insecurity.
Kate Hedeen, professor of Spanish (2016)
In SPAN 381, the study of Latino authors in collaboration with Mount Vernon High School students made an important contribution to address cultural diversity and education in our local community. Bonds were expanded among different groups, including students and educators of Kenyon and Mount Vernon High School, Latino students and families, and other Knox County residents interested in literature through the study of Contemporary Latino literature.
Sam Pack, associate professor of anthropology (2016)
In ANTH 464, "Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology," students, through experiential and oral research, constructed a website for the North American Indian Cultural Center; expanding bonds among different groups including students and educators of Kenyon and the general public.
H. Abbie Erler, associate professor of political science (2015-16)
Fourteen Kenyon students in WGS 331 Gender, Power and Knowledge spent a semester evaluating "Crunch Out Obesity," a health and fitness program used in elementary classrooms throughout Knox County. Kenyon students interviewed 267 program participants, led an orientation session for new physical education teachers and offered recommendations to make the program more inclusive and increase the focus on healthy living.
Elly Farnell, assistant professor of mathematics (2015-16)
In MATH 347, students developed Working with Sproxil: A PIN Filtering Algorithm. The project’s focus offers a valuable example of how Kenyon can leverage the knowledge and skills of its faculty and students to establish fruitful collaborations with private industry.
Sophia Khadraoui, visiting assistant in French studies (2015-16)
In French 112, students developed Bringing a French Community to Life, "The Frenchie Project." The project's focus on bilingual interaction with high school students at Mount Vernon High School fostered growth and understanding between communities and put material covered in classes into practice in a real world setting.
Dana Krieg, associate professor of psychology (2015-16)
In PSYC 348, students developed Adolescence in Context: Adventure in East Knox. The project’s focus on mentoring junior and senior high school students at East Knox Local Schools, while observing the process of adolescence in context, makes a meaningful contribution to understanding issues of adolescence and public education in our surrounding community.