Glenville State College has been selected as one of six participants in the Campus-Community LINK project. West Virginia Campus Compact and the West Virginia Community Development Hub are collaborating to connect communities with assistance from six of West Virginia's colleges and universities including: Concord University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Fairmont State University, Marshall University, West Virginia University, and Glenville State College.
The project which is funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, will identify twenty-four community development projects in the hub's twenty focus communities that will be linked to college or university faculty and students for technical assistance through community service learning experiences.
WV Campus Community LINK has awarded mini-grants to four Glenville State College professors to be used during the spring 2011 semester for community development projects that will be conducted by their classes. Each mini-grant funds technical service learning to address a community need allowing the community to receive technical assistance, the students to receive hands on learning experience of the classroom curriculum and the college the ability to enhance the student experience with equipment and supplies funded by the grant and to strengthen the community bond. Each mini-grant is for up to $5,000 that can be used for supplies, equipment, and reimbursement of travel for the service learning experiences. GSC Small Business Development Coordinator Larry Porter, who facilitated the recruitment and selection of the participating professors, will be administering the grants received by GSC.
GSC Professor of Natural Resource Management, Dr. Milan Vavrek’s Environment 352 (Air/Water/Soil Quality) class will be working with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Save Our Streams, and other local agencies to monitor water quality which can be used to: relate land use with water quality, evaluate the extent in change of water quality over time, determine the need for management and restoration, and assess the effectiveness of current management design. “The grant enhances a marvelous approach to learning. By monitoring water quality of the Little Kanawha watershed students will gain hands-on experience that strengthens their technical skills and problem-solving skills. Further, students will learn sampling design, statistical analysis and effective resource management. Students also will become more engaged with the community. In turn, the community will benefit from water quality data that can be used for community planning and natural resource management. We would love to hear from interested people in the community,” said Vavrek.
A second mini-grant has been awarded to GSC’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Coordinator Meredith Gillett. Her Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations class will be working with the Ritchie County Shop Locally Campaign. Students will design, execute and evaluate a marketing campaign to promote local shopping by Ritchie County residents. Gillett says this will be a great opportunity for her class. “I am thrilled to be able to incorporate a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience that allows students to apply theories learned in class and that has real rewards and consequences. Further, students will be able see the value of becoming active participants in their own communities and learn the true meaning of civic responsibility. Collaborating with the members of the Ritchie County Progress Alliance on this project is a pleasure and an honor,” said Gillett. Students will write articles, design flyers and posters, and interview store owners regarding results of campaign. Students will learn how needs assessments drive program creation and demonstrate an understanding of public relations and marketing functions. In addition they will be exposed to the process of creating and implementing an effective marketing plan.
The Ritchie County Farmer’s Market will also be teaming up with GSC students this spring. Dr John Taylor’s Organization and Administration of School Health Programs class will work in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market to organize and provide health fairs in elementary schools, coordinate nutrition education in P-12 schools, provide assistance in developing agricultural plans, and provide management of growing gardens. The thirteen students in the class will be designing and producing newsletters that will be distributed in schools and the farmer’s market. Topics for these newsletters will include: organic foods, healthy eating tips, healthy gardening, and public health services among others.
A fourth mini-grant will allow the City of Glenville to partner with Dr. Michael Gherke’s West Virginia and the Appalachian Region history class. Students engaged in the project will assist the municipality with a variety of new and on-going projects intended to enhance the lives of Glenville residents. One of the criteria in the course is to develop an appreciation for Appalachian and West Virginia culture. Students will be encouraged to become actively engaged in helping to make the state and region a congenial place for themselves and future generations. “The Campus Compact program will allow students in the West Virginia/Appalachian Region course opportunities to use their knowledge, resourcefulness, and skills to improve the local community,” said Gherke.
Glenville Mayor Tashua Allman says the city is pleased to be part of the project. “I am very excited to work with Dr. Gherke's WV history students this semester. He is providing his students a unique opportunity to obtain practical work experience which will supplement and enhance their academic programs. These history students have the opportunity to create and shape WV history right here in our community. I know the students will finish their projects with pride, knowing that they have made a real difference in Appalachia.”
Although this is just the pilot year for the Campus-Community LINK project, the Benedum Foundation hopes to make similar grants available on a yearly basis to help enhance community service learning in West Virginia.
For more information about the GSC Campus-Community LINK project, contact Larry Porter at larry.porter@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6021.
Media Contact:
Bob Edwards
Public Relations Department
Glenville State College
(304) 462-7361 ext. 6390
bob.edwards@glenville.edu
