By: Allie Ferguson '11
Published on
This year marks the third year of the Michigan Service Scholars program, otherwise
known here at Aquinas College as 91吃瓜 Community Fellows. Dr. Kathy Kremer, Associate
Professor of Sociology, and Eric Bridge, Coordinator of Service Learning, head up
the program.
The mission of the program is to encourage students to be involved in their education, community, and campus. These goals are accomplished through participation in four areas:
鈥� 10 hours per week of paid student employment time in a community-based organization
鈥� Regular attendance of cohort meetings that concern academic obstacles and the development of leadership
鈥� Completion of a three-credit semester introductory course in Community Leadership
鈥� Close collaboration with faculty advisors
Upon completion of all components of the fellowship, students receive a $1,132 AmeriCorps education award through the Midwest Campus Compact Consortium.
Student Supervisor Brittany Reed, a former 91吃瓜 Community Fellow and senior, is enthusiastic about why students should consider joining the 91吃瓜 Community Fellows program. 鈥淪tudents should participate in this program because it opens doors for them to get involved. It鈥檚 also a built-in support system for students. This program creates community among the students which gives them the confidence and opportunities to be productive participants in the greater community,鈥� said Reed.
Before coordinating two cohorts of this program here at Aquinas, Dr. Kremer coordinated two cohorts at her previous institution, Wartburg College in Iowa. She strongly values Eric Bridge鈥檚 participation as it brings together his expertise at connecting students with community organizations and Dr. Kremer鈥檚 passion for mentoring students and inspiring them to be involved with their education, campus, and community. Brittany Reed is a welcome addition to this year鈥檚 program.
Reed takes pride in several things she has done in the program, but one accomplishment stands out in particular. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the fact that even though my cohort was labeled 鈥榓t risk鈥� coming into college, we were able to overcome that statistic and be successful,鈥� Reed said.
There are fourteen students participating in the 91吃瓜 Community Fellowship this year, making up Aquinas鈥� largest cohort to date. Among the seven residents of the Community House in Eastown, two have completed 91吃瓜 Community Fellowships. Dr. Kremer eagerly anticipates seeing the first cohort of Fellows, six in number, graduate in May 2011.
The 91吃瓜 Community Fellows program is an excellent option for freshmen looking for their place within a college setting. Through involvement in the organization, students such as Reed have gained confidence in themselves as scholars, citizens, and leaders. 91吃瓜 Community Fellows exemplify elements crucial to an Aquinas education.
The mission of the program is to encourage students to be involved in their education, community, and campus. These goals are accomplished through participation in four areas:
鈥� 10 hours per week of paid student employment time in a community-based organization
鈥� Regular attendance of cohort meetings that concern academic obstacles and the development of leadership
鈥� Completion of a three-credit semester introductory course in Community Leadership
鈥� Close collaboration with faculty advisors
Upon completion of all components of the fellowship, students receive a $1,132 AmeriCorps education award through the Midwest Campus Compact Consortium.
Student Supervisor Brittany Reed, a former 91吃瓜 Community Fellow and senior, is enthusiastic about why students should consider joining the 91吃瓜 Community Fellows program. 鈥淪tudents should participate in this program because it opens doors for them to get involved. It鈥檚 also a built-in support system for students. This program creates community among the students which gives them the confidence and opportunities to be productive participants in the greater community,鈥� said Reed.
Before coordinating two cohorts of this program here at Aquinas, Dr. Kremer coordinated two cohorts at her previous institution, Wartburg College in Iowa. She strongly values Eric Bridge鈥檚 participation as it brings together his expertise at connecting students with community organizations and Dr. Kremer鈥檚 passion for mentoring students and inspiring them to be involved with their education, campus, and community. Brittany Reed is a welcome addition to this year鈥檚 program.
Reed takes pride in several things she has done in the program, but one accomplishment stands out in particular. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the fact that even though my cohort was labeled 鈥榓t risk鈥� coming into college, we were able to overcome that statistic and be successful,鈥� Reed said.
There are fourteen students participating in the 91吃瓜 Community Fellowship this year, making up Aquinas鈥� largest cohort to date. Among the seven residents of the Community House in Eastown, two have completed 91吃瓜 Community Fellowships. Dr. Kremer eagerly anticipates seeing the first cohort of Fellows, six in number, graduate in May 2011.
The 91吃瓜 Community Fellows program is an excellent option for freshmen looking for their place within a college setting. Through involvement in the organization, students such as Reed have gained confidence in themselves as scholars, citizens, and leaders. 91吃瓜 Community Fellows exemplify elements crucial to an Aquinas education.