Transforming Institutions… Transforming Communities

Posted by on February 01, 2010

The Third Annual Service-Learning Symposium & Showcase Event
“Transforming Institutions… Transforming Communities”

Save The Date!
Wednesday, March 24
8:30am – 3:00pm
The University of Pittsburgh

You’re Invited!
The SPRING Network would love for you to join us at our Third Annual Service-Learning Symposium and Showcase Event on March 24, 2009 at The University of Pittsburgh.

The annual symposium is held so that those interested in service-learning at the college and university level can come together to share their experiences, learn from one another, and discover potential areas for collaboration.

This year’s theme, “Transforming Institutions… Transforming Communities” gives attendees a look at the way in which service-learning has the ability to, and in many cases is responsible for increasing the quality of life within our community through civic engagement in higher education.

Conference participants will include faculty, administrators, and community service providers who wish to discuss service-learning and the ways it can positively impact our region.

Registration for this event will be open to attendees at the beginning of February. Please visit our website to stay up-to-date on when registration will be available.

Featured Key Note Speaker

Our morning keynote speakers represent outstanding higher education and community partners who bring national and local perspective to our focus on service learning and campus-community engagement.

Dr. Alex Johnson serves on the national board of Campus Compact and brings his wealth of experience from campus-community partnerships in the wake of Katrina as the Chancellor at  Delgado Community College to his new post as President of our Community College of Allegheny County.

Adrienne Walnoha has exemplified a community partner who appreciates the importance and nuances  of the mutually beneficial relationship for both campus and community partners in service-learning and community engagement as she has worked with several higher education partners in her leadership role at Community Human Services.

“Transforming Institutions… Transforming Communities”

The theme for our 2010 event is “Transforming Institutions… Transforming Communities,” and we will  explore how the work at the university level has impacted the community through service-learning.

This topic is especially relevant due to recent challenges in higher education, in which some have questioned the importance of contributions of higher education and its work in  helping to enhance the quality of life in our community through service-learning.

The Symposium will feature more than 10 concurrent sessions that explore a wide-range of topics related to service-learning presented by faculty, staff, community agencies, and students working in service-learning.

Network and Showcase!

The Symposium will provide attendees with an ample amount of time to network with fellow colleagues who are working within the service-learning sector. These times of networking will give those attending an opportunity to hear what others are doing in their field, as well as at other institutions/agencies within our region.

The Symposium also provides a Showcase time-slot for students and faculty to present their efforts and accomplishments that were completed through service-learning. The Showcase is a great way for students reflect on, and talk about their service-learning experience and how it affected them.

Please contact Zachary Marsh, SPRING Program Manager, at [email protected] or 412-471-2114.