Norwich University receives service-learning grantThe Vermont Campus Compact (VCC) has awarded a $4,000 grant to Norwich University to support the growth and institutionalization of the Service-Learning program at the school. The VCC is a statewide coalition of 22 college and university presidents, established to promote the integration of public service into the academic, student life and civic goals of member institutions. VCC presidents and their institutions strive to meet community needs by fostering partnerships that provide opportunities for civic engagement, service and leadership. Established in 1999, VCC is one of 30 state affiliates of the National Campus Compact network, whose current membership exceeds 800 institutions of higher education from across the nation. In September, a leadership team consisting of nine Norwich students, faculty and staff members, was formed to apply for the VCC grant. This group agreed to direct the $4,000 in funds to three different areas: to provide stipends for the Faculty Consulting Corps, fill a student position as Assistant to the Consultants, and finance professional development of faculty to support curricular service-learning projects. "The Leadership Team felt that, by strengthening these three components, they would increase faculty interest and involvement in service learning efforts at the University," said Michelle Barber, Norwich's service-learning coordinator. "These funds will also increase the capacity of the Service-Learning Program as a whole and have an impact on student and administrative awareness of service-learning." The Faculty Consulting Corps is a group of Norwich faculty members wishing to deepen their knowledge of public service. The Corps receives in-depth training on the issues surrounding service-learning, meet bi-weekly for group mentoring sessions, and gain access to service-learning practitioners, conferences, and workshops. malbury@norwich.edu, November 2004 |