Division of Student Affairs
2009-10 Annual Report
Department: Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership, and Service
Person Completing Report: Pam Curtis
Executive summary
The staff of the Office of Civic Engagement began the new academic year with a full staff of two coordinators
(KIM SHAVER AND GEROME STEPHENS), two graduate assistants (NATASHA RAMSEY AND BRIGID WELCH) and an Americorps VISTA Community Engagement Coordinator (AMANDA ROMITO-HAMILTON). We also had a number of student staff that came on as the semester began, including numerous graduate (LAUREN BENNETT
– MISS STATE, THOMAS EVAN AND MIRANDA THOMAS) and undergraduate interns (RICHARD WEBER AND
JENNA WILLIAMS), FWS student assistants (KRISTINA TAMES-DINGMAN AND JENNIFER PENCE) and Bonner intern (KRISTINA TAMES-DINGMAN). Having this full complement of staff allowed us to push forward with a number of ideas that had come up over the previous year while actively working toward our goals.
Accomplishments we wish to highlight over this past year included completing the Bonner 2.0 Grant and a successful year of the Frazier Intern program which underscores a collaborative effort between Bonner
Leaders and the Frazier Museum. For the second year, we held the MLK Day of Service Challenge made possible by another grant received from KYCC and because we had the VISTA in place to plan the event, it surpassed our numbers from the previous year and continued to be the largest event of its kind in the commonwealth. Our office was fortunate to collaborate with Athletics on an NCAA grant which provided funding for a lecture series focused on leadership called Cards Lead – Lifelong Leadership Lessons. We also received an i2a SUN grant of $5000 this spring which is allowing us to improve the focus of our programs and our department. We are developing SLOs for all of our major programs and measurement tools to assess what learning is occurring. Gerome escorted a group of five students to India for a service learning trip planned in about two weeks. Kim, Amanda and a former ASB participant (EMILY PEELER) presented a program and poster for the Gulf-South Summit on Civic Engagement and Service Learning at the University of Georgia.
Kim also recruited Amanda and Natasha to review program proposals for the Summit. Amanda and Brigid planned a service exchange with two KY Bonner schools, Centre and Berea, at which administrative staff from the Bonner Foundation were present. Three of our community partners also participated in the service exchange.
The spring semester ended on a collaborative note with an event sponsored by our office with the support of i2a and Office of Community Engagement to hold the Community Engagement Showcase for the first time.
We initiated joining with these offices after i2a and our office held similar but separate events last year. There is an effort after this successful collaboration to further combine efforts across campus. Faculty and students presented their posters highlighting community engagement programs and projects, both academic and cocurricular. The Red Barn was bulging at the seams with student presentations and classes that attended to view the work. We are hopeful this event will occur again next spring as part of the newly coordinated effort to recognize undergraduate student work in and out of the classroom. Finally, the year ended on a powerful note as Pam attended the first ISLP to Botswana, Gerome planned the first ever summer camp –Friend of
Louniversity held in July and created our new office mission and publication for fall, and Kim was honored with a Founder’s Award by President Ramsey at the Bonner Program’s 20 th anniversary celebration held at the annual Summer Leadership Institute in June for her efforts over the last 10 years to bring a Bonner program to
UofL and create this unique experience for our students. In addition, the Provost attended the festivities for
1

the university presidents and trustees. A UofL team consisting of 3 Bonner Leaders (VICORIA WEAKLEY,
JONATHAN BENDER, BRITTNY SCHADLER), a community partner (CHRISTINA CLEMENTS, VISTA), and Amanda attended the Institute and presented workshops. Kim also planned an overnight service exchange in conjunction with the BSLI which brought ten students from Bonner schools across the US to Louisville and connected them with five community partners around the issue of food literacy. We are grateful for the support we have had to make our goals happen. The CELS staff works tirelessly to be innovative and creative with the resources we have to provide exciting leadership and engagement opportunities for interested UofL students.
1.
Programs and Services:
 Friend of Louniversity summer camp – 24 students attended, fee of $250/student paid for all expenses of the camp
 An alternative break fair and two AB information sessions were held in the fall
 Community Service Fair: 50+ community agencies (double the number from 2008), fed 200 people, unsure of total attendance

Freshmen LEAD grew from 50 students to 60 student participants for the 09-10 school year. 120 applications were received for the program and all 120 students were interviewed.

Alternative Spring Break training – sponsored by KY Campus Compact with UofL support, this program was offered state wide in the fall

Local Alternative Break trip included several students and staff from Morehead State University.
Services sites were CATHOLIC CHARITIES and AMERICANA COMMUNITY CENTER.

Domestic ASB partnered with Warren Wilson College and continued to grow a three year partnership with Black Mtn. community to include community garden, elementary school, Welcome Table program, Wintergreen, and toxicFree NC non-profit programs/agencies
 Engage Lead Serve board – 16 students were recruited in spring 2010 to be the first ever leadership team for the ELSB (CHAIRS: ALISON COX, MORGAN FORRESTER, JON MEREDITH, AKASH GUPTA, ADAM
TUDOR, OLIVIA MCMILLEN, ALYCIA TOOILL, ASHLEY WIMSETT: RSO MEMBERS: ASHLEY HERRING,
STUDENT UNITED WAY; ANNA HELLMAN, ULDM; WES FISCHER AND SARAH HUGENBERG, FRESHMEN
LEAD DIRECTORS; KATLYN NASSERI, CARDS FOR KIDS INTERNSHIP DIRECTOR; ROSSLYN STEINMETZ,
STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition; TABITHA OVERSTREET, SIGMA ALPHA LAMBDA; and
JONATHAN BENDER, BONNER LEADER INTERN.)

Notebook – during a trip to UK’ Community Outreach Office we discovered this free resource and
Gerome coordinated the content and layout that we include to advertise our office. We will receive several thousand of them to use as giveaways and to provide information about our office, programs and ELSB

University counsel – Julie DeMunbrun reviewed all of our waiver forms to ensure that we were properly addressing liability for our programs and the university. As a result the waiver used
2

university-wide was revised and updated for everyone’s benefit. Added language to majority of our forms for participants to request accommodations when needed.
 Living Learning Communities – five new communities for Fall 2010 were developed under the guidance of a university wide planning committee. Four will be go into effect now that one has been cancelled
(Pre Health in Miller) due to lack of interest.
 Leadership LLC – the first successful year with approximately 10 active students was completed in
Center Hall with the support of the Housing staff. Completed a service project with BIG BROTHERS BIG
SISTERS.

Sponsored and planned Bonner Spring Service Exchange with Berea and Centre Colleges approximately
50 participants from all three schools. Sites included GILDA’S CLUB, AMERICANA, AND BROOKLAWN.

Bonner Summer Leadership Institute programs and awards – Kim was recognized by President Ramsey for her years of service. Three programs were presented by UofL staff.

BSLI service project - Kim coordinated one of three service projects held around the state. 10 Bonners from around the country attended the one in Louisville at OXMOOR FARMS FOOD LITERACY PROJECT.

Bonner Leaders Senior intern trained Bonners on required records keeping and creation of community learning agreements. Bonners actively recruited for 10-11 Bonner cohort of 22 students.

India trip – five students (DEEP AGGARWAL, TOMMY VOLLMAR
,
JADE ASHLEY, ELVIN WEBB, DEEPA
PATEL) and Gerome went to India from December 27 2009 – January 6, 2010, toured the country and volunteered in a medical camp.

NCAA grant and Cards Lead ($2000)

Cards LEAD Lecture program speakers: COACH JEFF WAHL; CAROLYN CORNELISON; Celebrate
Leadership: Veterans program with HEATHER FRENCH HENRY, PRESIDENT RAMSEY and RODNEY
MCGUIRE; COLMON ELRIDGE; and TOM JURICH.
 SUN grant ($5000)
 MLK grant ($500)
 Completed Bonner 2.0 grant ($2000) with Frazier Museum
 CPC funds utilized for Cards Lead Lecture series, including Celebrate Leadership! And The Action
Summit = $2040 (collaborated with ALPHA PHI OMEGA, SIGMA ALPHA LAMBDA AND FRESHMEN LEAD)

Engage 2010 was developed by Natasha for the spring with 40 applicants and ten active participants.

How Best Can We Serve – training and awareness event tied in with the Book in Common, The Devil’s
Highway, focusing on training, dialogue/ reflection, and information sessions held in conjunction, with the Muhammad Ali Institute’s Peace and Justice Week. Community partners from AMERICANA,
3

NEWCOMER ACADEMY, JCPS, BACKSIDE LEARNING CENTER, AMERICORPS presented six sessions and provided the keynote address and final reflection for the day.
 Community partner appreciation event – invited all the partners we worked with over the year to come to GILDA’S CLUB (one of our sites) to celebrate a successful year and hear from our students about how much their experience meant to them. High Tea and activities focused on learning about each other were the themes for the event.
 CE Showcase – co-sponsored by i2a along with Office of Community Engagement and CELS. Over 20 students and/or faculty- student teams did poster presentations.

Presentations about CELS programs: Women’s and Gender Studies class, IFC, Cardinal Covenant,
Honors Volunteer program, DU, NPHC, BCM, Lambda Chi, Sigma Alpha Lambda

Student leaders presented at two national civic engagement events: Gulf South Summit and Bonner
Leader Summer Leadership Institute

Selected first three winners of Bridge Builder Scholarship created by the Schmiedeler family. We had
13 applications and the recipients of $1000 are CHELSEA BELL, KATIE GARDNER, AND WES FISCHER.

Based on the government figures for hourly rate value of community service ($20.85/hour), the service projects we sponsored equal $253,046.
2.
Major Accomplishments:

Develop programs and activities that inspire a vibrant campus community

Increased Welcome Weekend SOUL participation by 50%. Had on line registration and students successfully selected their sites prior to WW.

Expanded SOUL throughout the year to seven weekend projects (see APPENDIX B)
 Created Cards Lead and held six lecture events.
 Developed Global Leaders Program retreat. 18 students attended plus 4 staff.
 Increased both Bonner Leaders and America Reads program participation by 50%.
 A new initiative not part of our original goals: Engage 2010 came out of turning away 60 talented students from Freshman LEAD this year. Engage focused students interested in service to explore leadership concepts to apply to their service experience. We had 40 applicants, all of whom were accepted and we had 10 students remain active for the 10 week program in spring
2010. The program will not be repeated in 2011 in an effort to better focus our limited staff on signature programs like LEAD, Bonners and ELSB.

Established local chapter of the national organization, Project SUNSHINE as a site for Bonner
Leaders.

Celebrate tradition and create a sense of purpose

Held 2 nd annual MLK Day with over 200 students – a 63% increase from 2009

Met with alumni office about including alum in SOUL for 2010-11.

Dissolved Cards Serve RSO and focused on improving communication with campus community on service opportunities through facebook and simplicity
4


Selected 15 students to be first chairs on Engage Lead Serve Board (ELSB) for Fall 2010 – held a retreat in April
 Effectively promote Student Affairs programs and services
 Collected data about service and leadership organizations. ULDM and Student United Way are now affiliated with our office under the ELSB.
 Recruited two undergrad and three graduate interns over the year.
 Completed successful Bonner Frazier Intern program. Developed Cards for Kids Internship with
Kids Center for 2010 using Frazier model.

Aimed to provide accessible options for our programs and activities.

Analyze and evaluate Student Affairs programs and policies

More intentional SLOs were created for America Reads which have been incorporated intentionally into training but not formally assessed.

The Bonner leadership project was redesigned to reflect Bonner principles, valued skill sets and i2a critical thinking tenets by a graduate intern.

Each year Kim requests feedback on America Reads in three ways: tutors evaluate CELS and site; site evaluates CELS/AR program; and site supervisors evaluated tutors. (APPENDIX H)

Create and maintain vibrant partnerships with Academic Units across the university to support student learning and student success.

Continued active and engaged participation in i2a.
 Met monthly with OCE and had first all staff meeting in May to update staff on purpose of our offices and encourage greater collaboration.
 Continued to develop Signature Partnership sites, like ATKINSON ELEMENTARY, CATHOLIC
ENRICHMENT CENTER, GREATER LOUISVILLE, INC., JCPS, KOSAIR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, METRO
UNITED WAY, SPAVA, WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN MISSION, WEST END SCHOOL, .
 Collaborated with Book in Common program on local break to South Louisville focusing our theme on immigrant and refugee issues and sites; Bonner Leaders participated in Day of the
Dead celebration (FYI, Latin Studies and Louisville Arts organizations). All our programs encouraged students to participate in BinC events and CELS incorporated the BinC theme into programs as relevant.

Enhance student learning by providing structured experiences.

Developed five new LLCs for Fall 2010.

Implemented and accomplished plan for Leadership LLC for the year. Created new name for
10-11, Leadership Quest.

Provided four America Reads tutor trainings and two additional meeting with tutors each semester.

Provided four orientation sessions for domestic ASB participants and one for local ASB.

Create a division of Student Affairs that has a National Reputation for Excellence.

Recommended utilizing staff outside the PDC to plan major events. Classified Staff Retreat and
Summer Academy have been planned in this way.
 Requested itemized budget from VPSA which we received.

Presented on i2a, Strengths, networking and coordinated mid manager’s panel at SACSA.
Presented on i2a at CPAK. Presented on Pre-Reflection and Social Change Model, Strengths,
5

Volunteer recruitment/recognition, and Social Change Model Reflection at Gulf South Summit
and Bonner Summer Leadership Institute. Presented at NACA.
3.
Staffing Summary:
The staff in the CELS office this year included:
 3 Professional Staff
 2 Graduate Assistants
 2 Graduate Interns and 2 undergraduate interns and 1 out of state summer graduate intern
 2 Freshmen LEAD Directors

1 Americorps VISTA

2 federal work study student workers

1 Bonner Senior Intern
4.
Activities and Initiatives that Support Academic Units:
 i2a task group participant and Culminating Undergraduate Experience subcommittee member
 Presentations to faculty and staff at Celebration of Teaching and Learning and i2a Institute
 Book in Common selection committee member
 Hosted two graduate interns (CSP), hosted one graduate intern from out of state (Counseling) and two undergraduate intern (Communications and Social Change minor)

University wide Living Learning Communities Planning Committee, including members of Academic
Affairs, faculty, academic support services, advising, admissions, and various Student Affairs offices

Worked with Dr. Furr, Sociology on planning India service learning trip

Participated in ISLP Botswana

Collaborated on Community Engagement Showcase with i2a and Office of Community Engagement to provide opportunities for students and students and faculty to present on their programs to the campus community

Serving on KY Engagement Conference planning committee
5.
Activities and Services that Support Diversity:
 NPHC retreat facilitation

Presented at Coming Out as An Ally Day
6


Global Leaders Program – several nationalities and races were represented
 Service sites used for all of our programs are chosen to support our community’s diverse needs as well as our community’s diverse populations, such as FRIENDSHIP HOUSE (elderly), CHURCHILL DOWNS
BACKSIDE (immigrants and Hispanics), FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN (LGBT), DOWN SYNDROME OF LOUISVILLE
(special needs)
 Cards Lead Lifelong Leadership Lecture series – Greeks, Athletes, African Americans, veterans
 Breaking Bread program – collaborative among offices on campus that focus on social justice issues – dinner and open house

Participated in Cardinal Covenant Fair and International student tea
6.
Activities and Services that Support Community Service and/or Civic Engagement

SOUL Welcome Weekend 8/22 Twenty one sites in the community.
 SOUL Service projects – 8/29, 9/26, 10/4, 10/17, 11/1, 2/6, 3/27 Sites included: Wayside Christian Mission,
SALVATION ARMY CENTER FOR HOPE, BROOKLAWN, West End School
 Alternative Spring Break – North Carolina and South Louisville Worked with various community agencies on each trip.
 MLK Day of Service Challenge raised $146 and several pounds of canned goods among various other service projects. Collaborated with: 11 community organizations, 3 businesses, 1 community member, 28 campus organizations/ departments
 Cardinal Covenant retreat included a service component (Americana Community Center and Oxmoor
Farms) – students continued to go to ACC each week for the rest of the spring semester

Cosponsored Hearts for Haiti with SAB and implemented the button project – raised $1188

Bonner main sites: Gilda’s Club, Down Syndrome of Louisville, Americana Community Center, Frazier
History Museum, Oxmoor Farms, Project SUNSHINE, Brooklawn

America Reads sites: Atkinson, KING and COCHRAN Elementary Schools, NOE Middle School, CABBAGE
PATCH, Americana Community Center, Catholic Enrichment Center, Brooklawn

Cosponsoring HABITAT FOR HUMANITY house build for UofL with Office of Community Engagement

Tuesday at the Province: Dare to Careoke – food drive cosponsored with DARE to CARE

Served on Community Engagement Awards selection committee
 Served on President’s Community Service Honor Roll committee
7


Co-sponsored Community Service Fair with SAB
 Sponsored Alternative Break Fair with participants from BCM, ISLP and ABS
 Bead for Life party – raised money for women in Uganda (@$900 to date
 Salvation Army Angel Tree
 Big Brothers Big Sisters event on West Lawn in the fall

2 nd annual Bonner Leader spring poetry program facilitated at Brooklawn
7.
Staff Professional Development Activities and Programs
Pam

4 presentations at SACSA

Continue to serve as Chair of Career Services Committee

Presented at CPAK

Facilitated Strengths workshops (13)

Coordinated logistics and attended Strengths Educator workshops (2) on campus

Continue to serve as chair of Student Affairs Professional Development committee
 Created ECPY teaching coop to train other Student Affairs staff how to teach ECPY 355
 Completed 2 nd year of i2a Collaborative Learning Community
 Presented at Celebration of Teaching and Learning
 Served as panel moderator at i2a Institute
 Presented at i2a CLC Showcase

Attended Bonner New Director training
 Visited UK’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement as a staff

Served as Lambda Chi’s faculty advisor

Presented with student leaders at high school HOBY program
Kim

Planning committee for Student Affairs Summer Academy 09

Attended Strengths Educator workshop

Evaluation Chair/Membership Chair Gulf-South Summit Civic Engagement and Service-Learning
Conference, Executive Committee

Presented workshop on Pre-Reflection and Social Change Model with Amanda and Emily at Gulf –
South Summit

Presented workshops on StrengthsQuest (self) and Pre-Reflection and Social Change Model with
Amanda at BSLI
 Coordinated and planned fall ASB training with executive director for KY Campus Compact and program director of national chapter of Breakaway – all KY colleges and universities invited – 8 schools and 30 participants attended
 Attended Fall Bonner Directors meeting with Brigid
 Attended Fall VISTA Supervisor training through JCPS
8


Attended SPAVA Recognition Banquet
 Attended JCPS 20 th Anniversary Celebration for the Volunteer Talent Center
 KAVA (KY Association of Volunteer Administrators) member, attend meetings
 KYCC advisory, representing UofL Student Affairs; attended 2 state meetings as well as regular meetings with OCE and i2a; provided assistance with summer meeting on UofL campus
 Attended Celebration of Teaching and Learning
 Attended i2a Institute

Bi-monthly Leadership Coaching with Clarity Leadership Coach, initiated and paid by self
Gerome

Presented at the NACA National Convention
 Presented at the NACA Mid America Conference
 Served as the Graduate Inter Coordinator for NACA Mid America Conference

Presented a leadership keynote at Ohio State Mansfield’s Emerging Leaders Series

Facilitated the NPHC fall and spring retreat

Served as a new advisor to Dance Marathon
 Served as the Doctoral Intern to the President of ACPA, Dr. Tom Jackson

Continued classes for PhD in Higher Education Leadership & Organizational Leadership (16 hours)
Amanda
 AmeriCorps Pre Service Orientation- July 14-16, 2009
 KYCC VISTA Training- Orientation- Sept 2009
 Americana VISTA Training -Networking- Sept 2009
 Americana VISTA Training -Stress Management- Oct 2009

KAVA- Marketing your program - Oct 2009
 Kentucky Engagement Conference - Nov 2009

JCPS VISTA Training- Book Leveling - Nov 2009

KYCC VISTA Training- PR presentation--by me--Grant writing by Dale Tucker- Dec 2009

Gulf South Summit- March 2010- Attended and presented Path to Citizenship

KAVA- Volunteer number management- April 2010

KYCC VISTA Training- May 2010- Program Sustainability

Bonner Summer Leader Institute- June 2010 Attended and presented, KYCC Info Session, Path to
Citizenship, and Volunteer recruitment
8.
Assessment Initiatives:
The majority of the assessment being done currently by this office is either measuring satisfaction or collecting demographics. The domestic ASB does measure three student learning outcomes through written reflection post-service. The SUN grant received from i2a has positioned us to implement SLO assessment for each of our programs beginning in August 2010. Natasha Ramsey, Graduate Assistant, is working during the summer to complete this project. She and I will be presenting to the division and at conferences as accepted about our work. Please see APPENDIX B and H for assessment data.
9

9.
Department Goals 2010-2011

Continuation of SOUL event at Welcome Weekend and on-line registration. Create on line system for signing waivers.

Continue to work with expanded SOUL schedule throughout the year. We are already partnering with
Sustainability office and Alumni.

Work with Engage Lead Serve board to create their place on campus by developing various programs throughout the year.

Work with ELSB to plan 3 rd
Annual MLK Day of Service.

Continue to engage alum to support our office programs through participation.

Utilize facebook and other social networking venues to promote service and leadership opportunities on campus.

Support ELSB to begin their own traditions and consider their legacy as the founding group of leaders.

Develop awards/recognition program for students using George Howe leadership funds.

Evaluate success of Friend of Louiniversity. Determine if camp should/can be repeated and if other camps will be added.

Continue to recruit service RSOs to work with our office and ELSB.

Recruit at least one undergraduate and/or graduate intern in our office.

Implement Cards for Kids Intern program in collaboration with Kids Center beginning fall 2010.

Create Learning Outcomes for all major programs; create and implement assessment plan.

Continue participation in i2a.

Expand work we already do with Signature Partnerships. Continue to work on relationship with Office of Community Engagement.

Continue to grow local and domestic service-learning programs through ELSB and campus collaborations.

Work to assess LLCs for 2010. Determine additions and deletions of communities for 2011.

Submit at least one program proposal to present on i2a SUN grant project – SLOS
 and assessment (already done to LEI and SACSA). There will also be a division-wide presentation made to provide a model for other offices to do similar work.
10.
Issues and Challenges for the Department During 2009-2010 and Beyond:
Our overriding challenge is space. We need more students in our office and they want space to work and storage for their supplies and materials. We have worked creatively and rearranged our space in the
Dean of Students office to take better advantage of what we have to work with. I am dedicated to ensuring that our office is included in discussions about other space in the SAC as it may become available. Though increased staffing and funding are basic to our success, without the space for students to work and connect with others, our goal of reaching more of our students while achieving national recognition won’t happen. Student involvement is the key to our success and the students have to have a place for them to engage if we want them to find us.
Additionally, the limit on having a VISTA is three years. It is likely that by 2012 this program will no longer be an option for our department and we are losing valuable programmatic and administrative support.
10

Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership and Service
Metrics
Participant Numbers
Program
America Reads FWS
AmeriCorps Bonner Leaders 08-
09
total students: 16
AmeriCorps Bonner Leaders 09-
10
total students: 19
Freshmen LEAD
SOUL monthly Programs
Total SOUL Participation
SOUL Welcome Weekend
MLK DAY
ASB LOCAL
ASB Black Mt., NC
Community Service Fair
Engage 2010
29-Aug
4-Oct
17-Oct
1-Nov
6-Feb
27-Mar
How Best Can We Serve Program
# of Participants
29 tutors
4 terminated w/0 hours
11 completed Fall 09
6 students dropped from program
14 (11 active & 3 completed terms)
5 students dropped from program
26
65
18
26
65
42
356 (321 students/35 staff, faculty, alumni)
226 (9 fac./staff & 5 community members)
28 (17 UofL students/7
Morehead students/1 grad./2 Vista/1 staff)
6 (4 undergrad., 1 grad, 1 staff)
43 students
10 students
60
242
200--estimate based on food preparation!
Hours of
Service
5247.5
0
3486.5
113.75 total hours 08-
09:
3600.25 total hours 09-10
(June): 2793.5 2761.5
32
133.5
1374
1424
924
350*
78
195
54
195
126
726
*based on student
service hours
180
60
11

Cards LEAD lecture series
Coach Wahl
Carolyn Cornelison
Celebrate Leadership: Veterans
Colmon Elridge
Tom Jurich
12
100
200
25
100
150

13