This Human Interactions class by Professor Sangeeta Prasad observes human development from young adulthood through later stages of aging. Students study the dominant psychosocial, cognitive, and physical competencies; motivational changes; coping styles; and normative and non-normative behaviors of humans from young adulthood to old age. The course includes three hours per week of service-learning in an appropriate agency setting. Some common organizations that students collaborate with include: Community of Hope, Horton's Kids and Our Stomping Ground.
For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW: https://go.gwu.edu/cesc
Semester Reports...
Spring 2024
Instructor: Sangeeta Prasad
Students Reporting: 19
Time Reported: 623 hours
Projects:
Students engaged in various community-based service projects related to adult development, through partnerships with several organizations. Some of these include:
Foggy Bottom West End Senior Village: Students provided direct service to older adults in the nearby neighborhood, assisting with tasks like technology help, mail organization, and companionship through walks and conversations.
Claim Your Potential: A student mentored young women, providing guidance on personal and professional goals while supporting the organization's empowerment initiatives.
Latino Student Fund: Students tutored and mentored youth, supporting academic development and college preparation efforts.
Little Friends for Peace: Students facilitated peace circles and workshops, promoting conflict resolution and community-building skills.
TASSC (Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition): Students assisted with resume creation, career coaching, and support for survivors.
Student Comments:
"My experience as a mentor at Claim Your Potential has had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. Through my interactions with mentees like [redacted] and engagement with the organization's initiatives, I have gained invaluable insights and skills that have enriched my understanding of adult development and mentorship."
"I learned how to interact with a client and to work diligently to ensure that the work I was interpreting still came across the way it was intended."
"I learned that even though we can be living completely different experiences, we still go through many of the same emotions."
Fall 2023
Professor: Sangeeta Prasad
Students Reporting: 1
Times Reported: 11 hours
Student Comment:
“Gained a lot of experience developing unbiased and sensitive survey questions. Participated in direct recruitment and outreach for the new yoga program. Worked on program development.”- Student working with In the Streets
Spring 2023
Professor: Sangeeta Prasad
Students Reporting: 17
Times Reported: 78
This semester, students collaborated with Community of Hope, Horton's Kids, In the Streets, Our Stomping Ground, Foggy Bottom West End Village, Miriam's Kitchen, Life Pieces to Masterpieces, and One Tent Health
Examples of Student Projects:
Horton’s Kids Students worked with Horton's Kids to tutor elementary students in reading and writing. Students also worked with the parents of children to conduct surveys and assist with at-home learning.
In the Streets Students worked with In the Streets to conduct surveys on adult development and engage directly with clients to meet their needs. Students also helped to develop new curriculum for adult education programs and helped to facilitate events such as Art Therapy workshops.
Our Stomping Ground Students worked with Our Stomping Ground to conduct surveys on adult development and engage directly with clients to meet their needs. Students also participated in and helped set up events with the community including art therapy workshops and social events.
Student Quotes:
"I gained skills useful for educating young students and built meaningful relationships with many of the program participants."
"I have developed my skills for educating and providing services for children, learned how to better keep students engaged in activities, and developed meaningful connections with program participants."
"It was great working with a community that is often not thought about in adult development. I was able to challenge my own beliefs and learn from amazing individuals who are working towards their community."
"I have learned from this experience that as much as you want to help people, especially those going through traumatic situations. It is up to the individual to want help and work towards growing themselves. Knowing there is this amazing service for people and no one shows up is a difficult feeling. I did realize that I needed the therapy myself and it had helped me get over some feelings I had."
