Chloe King, a senior and former Knapp Fellow winner for 2017-2018, was recently featured in the GW Hatchet in recognition of her new organization, Last Call for Food, which gives students access to cheaper meal plans for students utilizing leftover food. You can check out the Hatchet article here.
Category: Student Projects and Reflections
Knapp Fellowship Winner Kristen McInerney
Kristen McInerney is one of two Knapp Fellowship winners for the 2018-2019 school year. Community Engaged Scholar Ashley Hidalgo sat down to discuss Kristen's project with her.
Tell me about your project and how you believe/hope that your scholarship will impact the community you are doing research with?
Kristen McInerney (KM): My research project, stems from my experience with English Learners (ELs) who struggled or are struggling in our traditional high school models and I formerly worked at a few different high schools with a growing EL population. My belief is that our current high schools are not set up for English Learners, and that inspired me to apply to this Graduate School of Education and Human Development Doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction, to see how we can improve the outcomes for ELs. With my research I hope to gather data, that we don’t typically gather upon enrollment of a student, and use it to predict and analyze student outcomes, such as grades and graduation. I am also interested in Resilience Theory and how that relates to my students’ experience in high school. This scholarship will directly impact the immigrant students that I work with and their families and bring the community together. Daily I work with bright, strong, multi-lingual, independent, and inspiring international students who deserve to graduate just like their native English-speaking peers.
AH: That is truly inspiring. What kinds of research methods/methodologies will your research use? I know it was mentioned earlier, but could you elaborate on how these methods bring the community into your work?
KM: My Research Project is my dissertation idea, which is a mixed-methods, explanatory sequential case study, which is beginning with the quantitative data piece to inform qualitative data collection to gain a richer understanding of my students experiences in hopes to tailor programming and policies for English learners. To build community partnerships, I would like to partner with Art Therapists, possibly GW's Art department, to build a mosaic or puzzle mural within our school and share with the wider community. Each student and staff member would create a piece, then it would be combined into a beautiful mosaic, where every single piece is valued and holds an important part in our community. Students will create their design focusing on their identity, the theme of resilience, and what success means for them.
AH: These forms of data collection will be very impactful for students. Why do you think it is important for student researchers (and researchers in general) to incorporate members of the community into research?
KM: Partnerships with the community are incredibly important especially with my population of students as English learners, and really all students. When you think about supporting the whole child and their family, whether they are here or in their home country, it is important to foster a new welcoming home. I think that community partnerships and community participatory action research is really important because the community has a sense of shared ownership, vision, and call to action.
AH: Do you have a favorite researcher/community scholar/activist who inspires you? If so, would you share a quote from them (or a book or article they wrote)?
KM: I have been re-reading the LISA Study by Suarez-Orozco, Suarez-Orozco, and Todorova who did a 5 year longitudinal study of immigrant youth in American high schools. They state in their conclusion, “Immigrant-origin youth come with big dreams and their initial boundless energies and optimism offer a great, if untapped, National resource.” I see that everyday in my students, their energy, their smiles, their excitement, and alongside their tears, and other concerns, and sadness. There is so much potential and strength and assets that our students have, like said if untapped or should be tapped, it is certainly a wealth of knowledge. And to be bilingual or trilingual there are so many things that our students can do and I want to give them the tools and opportunity to do so.
AH: What a great quote! You could have chosen many different ways to do your research-why involve the community? What do you think it adds to the research by doing this?
KM: I believe that my research holds more meaning and it is more empowering when it involves the community. Just like the school that I work in, the staff as a whole has a common passion goal, and drive Also, the more awareness we can draw to a problem, the more potential solutions we can find. And the greater the call to action and greater impact can happen.
AH: Do you anticipate working with any community partners (non-profits, other scholars, students here at GW other students or public institutions (schools, hospitals etc.), in this research?
KM: Yes, I definitely am reaching out to people who are involved with Art Therapy and other forms of social work and dealing with trauma. I know that GW has an Art Therapy program, so I am hoping to build a partnership with them, but I really think that developing partnerships especially for our students will really be able to help us able to reach them and provide the best experience possible in our school.
AH: Is there anything you’d like to say to Former GW President and Mrs. Knapp for funding the Fellowship?
KM: Yes, it is an incredible honor and I would want to first say thank you for believing in my students. They are the reason why we do what we do, and for them to recognize my student population as valuable and worthy, of having one of the best experiences possible in our high schools, that goes a long way trusting and for believing in me. Thank you for seeing ahead, and funding something that is a big passion of mine and for helping me make a difference in my community. It is truly a humbling opportunity and I have a lot of work to do on the project but I would say thank you for believing in me.
Community-Engaged Scholarship Symposium 2017 Schedule
Community-Engaged Scholarship 2017 Symposium Schedule
All events take place on Floor 3 of the Marvin Center on Friday December 8, 2017
9:30-10:15 a.m.
Breakfast in the Grand Ballroom
The Scholarship of Community Engagement with DC Public Schools
Learn about the work that GW VISTAs are undertaking with DC Public Schools and some of the challenges around mentoring, food insecurity, technology, immigration and racial justice that DCPS students encounter as the negotiate their educational progress.
Presenters (School-Community Liaisons):
- Carissa Marks - Drew Elementary
- Catalina Carbonell - Whittier Education Campus
- Fabiola Ramirez - Eliot-Hine Middle School
- Kia Johnson - Turner Elementary
- Marquis Johnson - Malcolm X Elementary
- Sharai Bryan - Smothers Elementary
- TJ Sullivan - West Education Campus
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Morning Sessions
Session 1: Direct Service as a Pathway to Engaged Citizenship
Learn about how direct service can serve as a pathway to engaged citizenship from students who have completed service projects in classes this year at GW. We will discuss the possibilities and limitations of this approach with panelists.
Moderator: Amy Cohen, Director of the Nashman Center
Panelists:
- Ambika Mittal (Service and Determining Destiny)
- Ashley Hildago & Arshia Lokhandwala (Examining Representation in Service Sites)
- Melinda Avery & Hannah Kimberly (Community Partner Relationships: Working with Medstar National Adaptive Cycling Program)
- Elena Werth (Examining Experiences at Little Friends for Peace)
- Andrew Kohlrieser (The Person Effect: Using Social Capital & Emotional Intelligence to Better Serve Homeless Veterans)
Session 2: Social Entrepreneurship and Community-Engaged Scholarship
Moderator: Scott Stein (Associate Director, Social Entrepreneurship Programs)
Panelists:
- Chloe King, Knapp Fellow: Food Waste Warriors: Educating Students About How Food Waste Impacts our Communities, Wildlife, and World
- Gayatri Malhotra, Knapp Fellow: Girl Rising Gender Equality Project
- Reganne Rapp, LEAD: Finance Practices to Sustain Non-Profits
We will be discussing and handing out information about the Knapp Fellowship in this session. The 2018 applications are due on January 12 - please join us for this session if you are interested in applying!
Session 3: Civic House Proposals for GW Engagement
Learn about work that students in the Civic House program are proposing, featuring new GW partnerships to address issues such as food insecurity in DC, LGBTQ+ civil rights, urban gardening, and homelessness.
Moderator: Colleen Packard, Graduate Coordinator of Civic House
Panelists: Civic House Students
12:00-1:15 p.m.
Lunch and Panel of DC Community Leaders
Moderator: Charity Edelman, Supervisor, GW/DCPS AmeriCorps VISTA Program
Panelists:
- Charity Eddleman, Supervisor | GW/DCPS AmeriCorps VISTA Program
- Laura Newland, Executive Director of the DC Office on Aging
- Claire Cook, Administrative Organizer, One DC
Lunch is free but you must RSVP at this link: http://evite.me/Gxv4dt8uKN
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Session 1: Community Scholarship and Engagement in STEM
Moderator: Shruti Yadav (GW Biology Department)
Panelists:
- Konstantin Mitic & Tania Singh (Engineering Affordable Medical Devices)
- Rebecca Blacker & Melissa Abrams (GWTeach Engaging with the Littlest STEM Learners)
- Erin McGeoy (Food Waste in Our Community)
Session 2: Operación Impacto - Daring to Step Up in Our Commitment to Civic Values and Civic Action
Students engaged through coursework in Spanish 3040 and through Operación Impacto and Chávez~Huerta 2018 will present their work, vision and experiences. The Campaigning for Change award will be introduced as part of a call to action during this session. While all are welcome to attend, this session will be conducted in Spanish.
Moderator: Dolores Perillan (Operación Impacto & Professor GWU Spanish Program)
Panelists: Spanish 3040 Students
Session 3: Senior Well-being in DC - Recommendations from Research
Moderator: Emily Morrison, Program Director of Human Service and Social Justice
Presenters: Students in the Human Services and Social Justice program present findings and recommendations from their research study on Senior Wellbeing to staff from the DC Office on Aging.
Session 4: Eco Equity Challenge Workshop (1:30-3:30 p.m)
Moderators: Jonathan Butler and Kimberly Williams (GW Upstart Nashman Center)
The Eco Equity Challenge provides students with funding to implement a project that brings together sustainability and social justice to make a real impact in communities in the District. Join this workshop to explore the concept of environmental justice and begin to develop your own idea for a project with the guidance of our staff. Applications for the Eco Equity Challenge are accepted through February 16, 2018.
3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom
Community-Engaged Scholarship Poster Presentation + Dessert Reception
Please join us to learn about multiple ways that students are practicing community engaged scholarship in their academic careers at GWU by visiting student poster presentations:
- Service Inequalities: Is Representation a Focus in Enrichment programs? By Ashley Hildago & Arshia Lokhandwala
- Opportunity Gaps: By Sara Smith, Randy Alsabe, Helen Solomon, Emilio Luna, Erik Calvo
- St. Mary's Court: By Daphne Sellin, Sophia Gaines, Angela Marino, and Anar Parmar
- Communication and Challenges at St. Mary's Court: By Skyla Davis, Aaron Gong, Alexis Blickman
- Martha's Table: By Arabella Riley, Lucy Lennon, Mehr Rai, Stephanie Curley
- Martha’s Table: By Phillip Young & Ziwei Yang
- Communication with Kids: By Kayla Larmore, Bailey Hoglin, Lauren Anderson
- Program Evaluation: Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop: By Laura Taylor, Zoerina Ledwidge, Olivia Murphy
- Program Evaluation: City Gate: By Rachel Compton, Anna Coughlan, Amanda Menas
- Program Evaluation: Bread for the City: By Nadia Syed, Adam Graubart, Jenn Pacicco
- Program Evaluation: HSSJ: By Kyrah Altman, Olivia Idris, McKenzie Connors, Nkechi Okoronkwo
- Program Evaluation: City Dogs Rescue and City Kitties: By Gabi Stadler, Rebecca Haber, Wynn Hullis
- Program Evaluation: Little Friends for Peace: By Valentina Barrera Vasco, Tracey Katz, Helen Palatianos
- Listo Program Evaluation: Latino Student Fund: By Ilana Creinin, Angel Rutter, Dani Harton
- Interpersonal Communication in Professional Settings: Setbacks and Successes: By Liz Yount and Sena Ahn
- Eating Smart For You and Your Family: A Mother's Guide: By Darci Byington
- An Inside Look: How Type II Diabetes Affects the Homeless Population: By Claudia Penido
- Tackling Childhood Obesity with After School All-Stars: By Victoria Skrivanos
- Improving First-Year Nutrition at GW: By Maya Blair
- So Others Might Eat: By Meredith Duffy Ignacio Rivera Austen Steinberg
- Miriam’s Kitchen: By Kato Bartlett, Nana Adwoa Ose-bonsu
- Obesity in Children with Autism: By Aminah Farmer
- Playtime Project for Homeless Children: By Elony May, Wesley Schlesinger, Matt Vermillion, Andrew Wysota
- Catalyst Sport Project: By Kateleen Bashkansky, Jenny Boyd, Abbie Klaus and Jordan Tingson
- Swimming Program; HSC Pediatric Center's Kids In Action: By Marissa Johnson, Alison Rieck, Scott Rosendall, Marin Smith
- Special Olympics Virginia: Fitness Fair Event: By Matt Bates, Jessica Blake, Eric Foreman, Elizabeth Huff, Erin Kennedy
- Whitman-Walker Youth Services: By Kaitlyn Glass, Karen Ma, Kevin Teng and Shannon Tevenan
- MDA Summer Camp: By Becky Felmeister, Meagan Gulmi, Jacklyn Pupolo and Claire Valentine
- Washington Senior Wellness Center: By Zachary Carroll, Tyler Heath, Ben Sorenson and Rachael Sottile
- NRH Adaptive Cycling: By Melinda Avery, Christina Greenwood, Hannah Kimberly and Ashley Wahl
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs: By Julia Bliss, Caitline Bonhert, Danielle Brito and Haleigh Parda
- Parks Prescription: By Rachel Beckmann, Sheena Gopal, CiAnna Kriegish, Dony Maiguel, Kate Schuette, Diana Wilbur
- Belize: Disability Awareness: By Latay Benson, Kyra Corradin, Mandy Dunyak
Spring Service-Learning Symposium
Spring Service-Learning Symposium–April 26th – 10am – 3:30pm – 3rd Floor Marvin Center
Register:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/academic-service-learning-symposium-spring-2016-tickets-20574062575
If you plan to have your students participate in the spring symposium, you will need to contact me directly by March 25th at smithml@gwu.edu
The Center celebrates service-learning accomplishments at the end of each semester with the Academic Service-Learning Symposium. It is an opportunity for service-learning students to share the results of their research and service with members of the GW and DC community. Students, faculty, community members, friends, and family are invited to learn more about the work our service-learning students are doing and to celebrate service-learning’s impact on student learning, faculty teaching, and our communities.
Draft Schedule of the day: April 26th
9-10 – check-in/registration
10-10:20 -welcome/opening
10:30- 12:25 – Break out sessions/Research Presentations/ Service Talks/ Round tables
12:30-1:30pm – Lunch
1:35pm- 2:55pm– Break out sessions/Research Presentations/ Service Talks/ Round tables
3pm-3:30pm– Announcements/ Awards/ Closing
