The Post

Dear Members of the University Community,

As a follow up to Dr. Colley’s message to the NU Community (see below) regarding the transformation of Learn and Serve, we are asking for your input to complete a brief survey about service learning and student engagement in the community.  The survey should not take more than 10 minutes to complete. We look forward to hearing from you and will be scheduling information sessions to continue the discussion based upon feedback from the NU Community. Please respond to the survey by June 17, 2016. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z2XG38G

Sincerely,

Dave Taylor, Fran Boltz, and Patti Wrobel

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There is perhaps no better time than now to think about the impact of service learning in keeping with our Catholic and Vincentian mission at Niagara. This became quite evident in the development of the Vision Commitments, but also in the marketing and brand study wherein students interested in higher education did not recognize this area of distinction for Niagara. Once here, however, service to others was noted as a most central quality and attribute of our university, a fact which has been supported by the NSSE data in the engagement of our undergraduate students. In keeping with our timelines for strategic planning, we will begin a transformational effort to elevate service learning as a community impact model. Our strong and exemplary history in this area and community engagement, generally, must lead to continuing strength and integration across sectors, bringing to this region evidence-based practice that frames systemic change and transformation. As you are aware, Learn and Serve Niagara, led by Fran Boltz, is housed in the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. Institute of Civic Engagement under the supervision of its director, Dr. David Taylor. I have asked Patti Wrobel, assistant dean for external relations in our College of Education, to work with Dave and Fran to develop and present recommendations that will support our new Vision Commitments and bring service learning at Niagara to the next level. Patti brings experience in this area, but also in the cultivation and quantification of partnerships across a continuum of community outcomes. She will work with Dave and Fran on a part-time basis to develop strategic goals, recommendations, and actions. Over the next few weeks, the team will be reaching out to all sectors of the NU community for input. Thank you in advance for your commitment to this strategic conversation. Thank you – and enjoy these beginning days of summer. Sincerely, Debra A. Colley, Ph.D. Executive Vice President