Community Partners To Be Recognized at Ohio University Symposium

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(Athens) – The Center for Campus and Community Engagement (CCCE) will present its second annual Community Engagement Symposium on Friday, Sept. 29, from 1-5 p.m., followed by a happy hour reception at the Ohio University Inn.  

This year, the symposium will feature robust professional development opportunities for Ohio University staff, faculty, and community organizations through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and, for the first time, Ohio University’s inaugural awards ceremony recognizing the Community Partner Award winners, the recipients of the Sugar Bush Foundation’s partnership awards, and recognition of the Ohio University’s winner of the Ohio Campus Compact’s Ping Community Service Award. 

Outstanding Community Partner Award winners were notified by the CCCE on Aug. 1 of their meritorious collaborative work with campus partners. The community partners were nominated by an Ohio University student, staff, or faculty member for creating student, community, and citizen advancement opportunities. 

The six community partners being recognized are Alexander School District, Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce, Building Bridges to Careers, Ross County Community Action Commission and Fairfield County Workforce Center. The Sugar Bush Foundation will then announce their six partner awards. 

Following the Sugar Bush Foundation’s partner awards, junior Parwinder Singh will be recognized as the Ping Legacy Award recipient. The award is sponsored by Ohio Campus Compact and honors undergraduate students for their leadership and efforts in community service or service-learning on their campus and their community. 

The symposium also includes networking and professional development concurrent sessions for community and campus partners. 

Symposium attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the Associate Director for Experiential Access and Engagement Kim Jeffers, the Executive Director for Experiential Learning Dr. Lindsey Rudibaugh, the founder and Executive Director of GoodWorks Keith Wasserman, and the Associate Director of Center for Campus and Community Engagement, Courtney Lefebvre, on Preparation and Reflection of Community-Engaged Project Planning. 

In learning about “Best Practices of Community-Engaged Research,” guests will hear from Dr. Kelly Nottingham – a visiting professor in the College of Health Sciences and Professions—Ruth Dudding, Director of Community Health & Engagement, Athens City County Health Department and Sherri Oliver, Executive Director, Community Health Programs and Area Health Education Center, while Dr. Mike Kopish, an associate professor in the Patton College of Education, leads the session on “Advancing Democracy Through Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning.”

The final session on “Bridging Schools, Communities, and Universities: the Promise of Community and Career Connected Learning,” will feature experts including Associate Professor in the Patton College of Education Dr. Jacqueline Yahn, visiting professor and Executive in Residence SROI and Impact Measurement at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service Dr. Allison Ricket, and the Executive Director of Building Bridges to Careers Dr. Tasha Werry. 

The registration deadline for the event is Friday, Sept. 22 at noon or when capacity is met. The link to register can be found here. Additional questions regarding the Symposium or sponsorship opportunities can be directed to Mary Nally at nallym@ohio.edu.