The Center for Service-Learning, housed in the Campus Library, connects IU East students with service opportunities in communities throughout East Central Indiana and bordering towns in Ohio. Ann Tobin is campus/community liaison for service-learning. She is also staff advisor for the Circle K International Club (CKI), affiliated with the Kiwanis. Ann welcomes emails and calls from any student interested in being involved in service: Iueastsl@iue.edu or 765.973.8411 Faculty can contact Ann about service-learning placements for projects in their courses or discuss development of new service-learning options with faculty liaison Frances Yates: fyates@iue.edu or 765.973.8470

In this week’s blog, Ann shares the service accomplishments of several recent IU East graduates, and what’s next for them.

 Cassidy Clouse first came to the Center for Service-Learning in Fall 2015 to participate in Opening Minds through Art (OMA), an inter-generational art program which partners volunteers with individuals who have dementia. Cassidy actively sought additional service experiences with diverse groups, and she developed unique relationships with children, adolescents, adults, and elders. In the spring of 2016, Cassidy became a math tutor for local high school students. She also tutored and mentored at other locations, in several grades. Cassidy used her Spanish language and mentoring skills for English Language students at the Amigos Corazón Latinx youth group, engaging in activities to promote leadership skills, creative self-expression, academic and college readiness, and Latino cultural appreciation. She shared her knowledge through presentations at an Indiana Kids Career and College Workshop and attended conferences with the Indiana Youth Institute, the Indiana Campus Compact, Earlham College, and IUPUI Office of Community Engagement.

In addition to academic achievements and student leadership roles in student government, psychology club and CKI, Cassidy managed her time so she could also contribute her unique skills, energy and enthusiasm to several other service programs and initiatives. She was a group leader for the Herstory Camp for adolescent girls, as part of Frances Yates’ Women of Valor project, an IU Bicentennial intern, and the student coordinator for the Math Counts! tutoring program. Cassidy will be enrolled in graduate school at Ball State in Fall 2018, working on a Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology.

Taylor Hatfield was recruited to play basketball with a full academic scholarship, and chose to pursue Dentistry at IU East, as a Biology major. She was a tutor in the Math and Science Resource Center, to assist students in chemistry and biology courses. Taylor worked with older adults through the Opening Minds through Art program and mentored middle school students where she talked with them about respect, school culture, and stereotypes. As a first- generation college student, Taylor was a role model as a successful college student for those she mentored. She was an officer for the Circle K International Club, in addition to her role as an admissions ambassador and maintaining high grades with a rigorous academic schedule. Taylor will be attending the Indiana University School of Dentistry.

Rachel Johnson was the first president of the newly-chartered Circle K International (2016) of IU East. She led the club through the chartering process and developed collaborative relationships with our two sponsoring Kiwanis Clubs (Kiwanis of Richmond and Golden K) as well as with the Indiana District CKI. Rachel served as a Math Counts! tutor, was active in many service events, and planned and implemented our CKI-sponsored fundraising events for Riley’s 3 Wishes and for Life Stream. Rachel is pursuing work using her skills in event planning.

Umer Khan  was one of the first Math Counts! tutors for CSL, at both Richmond High School and on the U East campus. He helped with English Learners at Homework Helpers at Vaile Elementary, was a mentor for the Early College program at Hibberd, and participated in numerous service projects, including Family Earth Day, the All-In Community Block Party, the Backpack Project, the Life Stream event, Empty Bowls, Special Olympics, events for Riley’s 3 Wishes. Umer served as the Vice President of Service for CKI, was engaged in the Opening Minds through Art at Friends Fellowship Community and was active in several student organizations. Umer’s service in so many events and programs was in addition to more than 20 credit hours per semester, an outside job, and a campus Supplemental Instructor for multiple courses.  Umer’s goal is to attend medical school.

Madeline Truette came to IU East with a clear goal to help children, to gain experience working with youth of all ages, and to pursue a graduate degree related to child psychology. She demonstrated her initiative by being our first service student at JACY House, a program of the Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center, Inc. At JACY House, Madeline was able to gain a better understanding of the interview process for abused and neglected children and she observed their educational program in schools that taught students about sexual misconduct. Madeline’s teaching and communication skills were applied to the design and implementation of a skill-building class for teens at Girls, Inc. in Summer 2017. She met with the same young women three times per week for discussion and activities that taught skills involving teamwork, communication, coping, healthy relationships, and self-discovery. Her leadership skills were evident at Girls Inc. and also in the Herstory Camp summer program, where she led a group of adolescent girls to work collaboratively and develop a creative dramatic presentation about female historical figures.  Maddie has been accepted into the IU East Master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.