Office of Service Learning (OSL)
Annual Report

2007 - 2008 Academic Year

Awards
During the 2007 – 2008 academic year, OSL developed two award applications in nomination for the Healthcare Georgia Foundation's Joe S. Greene Community Service Award. These efforts resulted in NHWSN graduate student Anjli Aurora being selected as an award recipient, and the Farm Worker Family Health Program/Moultrie receiving an honorable mention. The Joe D. Greene Community Service Award honors individuals and collaborations dedicated and committed to advancing the health of all Georgians and expanding access to affordable, quality healthcare for the underserved.

Committee Representation
The OSL Administrative Director was invited by Emory's Office of University Community Partnerships to serve on the search committee for a new position, the Emory University, OUCP, Director of Engaged Learning.

The OSL Administrative Director was invited to serve on a review panel for OUCP summer/fall 2008 mingrants for teaching and research concerning community engagement.

The OSL Administrative Director collaborated with the Global Health Institute by participating in a cross-Emory committee to plan a training workshop for students going abroad for service learning or research purposes. The committee plans to continue collaborating concerning international student travel, to plan next year’s workshop, and to develop a manuscript for publication based on its activities.

International Service Learning Projects
OSL assisted in coordinating four international service learning projects to Jamaica, Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Barbados over the spring break period in March 2008. This represented the first time that NHWSN ever had four international service learning projects simultaneously occurring. Overall, 31 NHWSN students and 10 faculty members participated.

OSL also collaborated with international service learning faculty members to refine its tool for assessing student outcomes related to these experiences, and is working to further develop and refine faculty and community evaluative tools.

Migrant Farm Worker Family Health Program
OSL assisted in coordinating the Moultrie Migrant Farm Worker Family Health Program during June 2008. 32 NHWSN undergraduate and graduate students participated, as did 6 faculty members.

OSL Presentations
OSL provided an overview of the overview of the service learning program at the NHWSN undergraduate and graduate student orientations during August 2007. Incoming students were informally polled during the presentation, and approximately 70% of incoming undergraduates, and 30% of graduate students reported that they had come to NHWSN, at least in part, because of its emphasis on service learning and social responsibility.

OSL participated in an “Emory in the Community” event, coordinated by Emory University's Emeritus College. The OSL director spoke with attendees about posters on NHWSN service learning activities, while NHWSN student Virginia Tester served on a panel concerning Emory student engagement in the community.

The OSL director developed an abstract on service learning and evaluation that was accepted for presentation at a Community University Partnerships for Health meeting. She presented the paper to researchers and community agency members at the conference, held May 4-7, 2008, in Victoria, Canada. (insert link to the PPT on the web site)

Service Learning and Social Responsibility Information Dissemination
The OSL Director developed an article on the Lillian Carter Center for International Nursing for Atlanta Hospital News.

The OSL collaborated with NHWSN faculty members and its Dean to develop a journal article on social responsibility within NHWSN.

The OSL director is developing a journal article on service learning and evaluation, in conjunction with two NHWSN faculty members, arising out of her presentation at the Community University Partnerships for Health meeting in Victoria, Canada. The paper offers perspective on the need to meet the needs of all stakeholders (students, faculty members and communities) through service learning programs.

Additional journal articles may arise out of OSL work in respect to evaluation of its international service learning programs, as well as efforts as part of a cross-Emory committee on training students for global health research and service.

During the 2007-2008 academic year, the OSL also added a list of resource organizations, evaluative tools, and a bibliography in service learning to its web site.

Student and Faculty Development Opportunities
OSL organized a lunch and learn at the NHWSN with Sam Engle, of Emory's Office of University Community Partnerships. Ms. Engle informed NHWSN students about funding opportunities available through her office to support research and service projects.

OSL collaborated with Emory University’s Center for International Programs Abroad to develop and hold a workshop for those NHWSN faculty members engaged in international service learning programs over the 2008 spring break period.