Fran Larkin served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with Ohio Campus Compact from 2010-2011. He now holds a fulltime position with the University of Cincinnati! This month Erica Philips from the VISTA Voice staff caught up with Fran to ask him about how his work as a VISTA led to his current job. What do you do now? I am the Program Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE). The mission of the CCE is to connect the campus and the community through service and getting UC students into the community to perform meaningful service. On the flip side of that, the CCE works hard to help community partners connect with the resources of the University-the most significant of which is our talented and civically responsible students. What did you do as a VISTA? The highlights of my work as a VISTA included coordinating the Zoo-Mates mentoring program, the Bearcat Buddies tutoring program, the Fall Community Service Fair, co-leading an alternative spring break trip to Appalachia, and helping students see the value in working for positive change and social justice. Zoo-Mates is a program that pairs 30 UC students with 30 children experiencing homelessness for a...
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Thanks in part to the work of Wendy Pfrenger, an Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at Kent State University’s Columbiana campus, the university  has an innovative Rural Scholars Program which will offer first-generation students from Columbiana County and neighboring areas a college access program designed to give them and their families the knowledge, rigorous academic exposure, and social support they will need in order to be successful at a world-class university. Read the November 24, 2011 Salem News article:  “New Kent State program will target rural scholars”  Read more about the Kent State Columbiana Rural Scholars...
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There is no more fitting time to say thank you than at Thanksgiving.  So, as we pause to give thanks this holiday season, we want to thank our many members, supporters, friends and colleagues across the state who work tirelessly every day to serve their communities and their campuses.  Thank you for all you do!  We also want to give a “Big Thanks” to all our supporters who participated in the recent  24 hour giving event, called The Big Give.  In just one day,  $8.7 million was donated to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in central Ohio. For Ohio Campus Compact, it was the first time we sent out individual email appeals, and we are incredibly grateful for your generosity.  These donations are a real vote of confidence in our work to promote community service, service-learning and civic engagement on college campuses in Ohio. We are truly humbled by the outpouring of support to so many organizations that work to strengthen communities across our great state. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy Thanksgiving! The Ohio Campus Compact staff (clockwise from left, above) Elizabeth McAnally, Lesha Farias, Kirsten Fox, Dick Kinsley, Susan King, Brenna Limbrick & Coral...
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We’re constantly amazed at the great work being done by our talented team of AmeriCorps VISTA members who work tirelessly every day to build campus-community partnerships to alleviate poverty.  How do you quantify that impact? Check out the stats that capture their recent activities and accomplishments:    -Volunteer Totals-  Students: 1,571    Hours: 6,091 Community Members: 96     Hours: 190 Baby Boomers: 28   Hours: 71 -Funds Raised- Program Funds Raised (via grants, scholarships, awards, etc.):  $176,938 In-kind Program Donations: $8,61 -Community  Engagement-  Disadvantaged Youth engaged: 5,168 Community Meals Served: 3,397 K-12 Students in College Access Programs: 6,946 Veteran Students Served:...
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In connection to Veteran’s Day this month, the VISTA Voice recently interviewed Bridget Ludwa, an Ohio Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA serving at Akron University, to learn more about her work with combat veterans and the difficulties they face in returning home and becoming students in the college environment. What kind of work at you doing at the University of Akron? Bridget (at far right) with the Military Veterans Association student organization members. My work with the student veterans at UA is focused on capacity building and enabling them to transition into the university environment and achieve graduation. I serve on various committees on campus relevant to student veterans and have built partnerships around campus to improve the support net for our student veterans. I also maintain frequent one-on-one contact with individual student veterans in order to hear their concerns and offer support. What motivated you to work with student veterans? Several important experiences have led me into the work I am doing now. One was my own personal history with military service; both my parents have served, and my sister and I are currently serving. The other was an Alternative Spring Break trip I participated in as a staff member. These...
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The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education’s 2011 U.S. Professors of the Year award honors Steven S. Volk, Professor of History at Oberlin College. Sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the awards recognize the best of the best in undergraduate education. Ohio Campus Compact salutes Professor Volk!  Read the Inside Higher Ed article about the...
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Just as Martha Stewart has her signature “Good Things”-themed books, shows and articles for home decor, we’re rolling out a new blog and e-newsletter feature to spotlight “Great Things” related to service on member campuses, on the web and around the world. Great New Course: The University of Cincinnati’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement and Urban Center for Social Justice Peace Education and Research is partnering with the Mayerson Foundation’s High School Service Learning Program and UGIVE.ORG to offer a groundbreaking new class: Service Learning and School Change. Learn more. Great Service-Learning Resources: Previously out of print, these Campus Compact books are now updated & available to order online: Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum: A Resource Book for Service-Learning Faculty in All Disciplines The Engaged Department Toolkit Introduction to Service-Learning Toolkit: Readings and Resources for Faculty Great Service Event:  Ohio Wesleyan University’s 2011 Heritage Day to Celebrate Community Service on November 9 is a campus-wide day of service. Great Video:  UC Clermont created a cool new  Service-Learning video featuring Ohio Campus Compact VISTA Zach Bartush and the 2011 David Hoch Memorial award winner Barbara Wallace.  Check it out. Have a Great Thing to share?  Share it in the comments below or contact us...
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So what’s so big about 11-11-11 at 11 a.m.? (No, we’re not referring to the numerological significance, biblical prophecies or the title of a new horror film).That exact time marks the end of The Big Give, the Columbus Foundation’s 24-hour community-wide giving event benefiting Ohio Campus Compact and other nonprofits in Central Ohio. So don’t wait until the 11th hour (literally) to participate in this historic event!   Here’s how it will work:  from 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 10 until 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, the Columbus Foundation will match credit card gifts of $20 or more made to Ohio Campus Compact through the Foundation’s donation portal and online giving PowerPhilanthropy marketplace.  “The Big Give” aims to give an economic boost to nonprofits in the region by offering up to $1 million in matching funds.   Please save the date, set an alarm, bookmark the page, and spread the word! Here’s what you need to do: Between 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 10th, and  11 a.m. on Friday, November 11th: 1) Go to the Columbus Foundation website 2) Click on the Give Now button. 3) Select Ohio Campus Compact from the list of eligible non-profits. 4) Use your...
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Navigating election law to ensure every student vote counts College students are generally used to getting carded. But when it comes to voting in next week’s election, will they have the proper ID to ensure that their vote will count? In Ohio, voter ID requirements for early voting and Election Day differ. For example anyone who votes early may use the last four digits of their social security number as voter ID. On Election Day, however, that is not enough. Voters who cast their vote at the polls must present an acceptable form of ID. Some students–particularly those from out of state or who live in residence halls–may have difficulty producing acceptable Election Day voter ID. Fortunately, Ohio law allows colleges and universities to issue certain documents that satisfy the Election Day ID requirements. Learn more from the Fair Elections Legal...
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Civic engagement is an increasingly hot topic this fall.  And not just because there happens to be an election around the corner. Colleges and universities across the state and across the nation are contemplating critical questions related to the role of higher education in the promotion of democracy.  A quick roundup of some of the initiatives we’re tracking: American Commonwealth Project. This initiative was launched in September by a group of higher education and civic leaders in collaboration with the Department of Education and the White House Office of Public Engagement.  With big names backing it, the group has ambitious plans for shaping the future of civic learning and democratic engagement. American Democracy Project.  An initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the multi-campus project  focuses on higher education’s role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy. A Crucible Moment. The Department of Education recently charged the Association of American Colleges & Universities and the Global Perspective Institute to write a report on civic learning and democratic engagement and issue a call for action for increased civic participation. The soon-to-be released report will coincide with series of national forums.  For a preview,...
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