First year students and graduate students in EAF work together on a service project

First year students in the IDS 189 (First Year LinC Seminar) and graduate students in EAF 463 (American College Student) worked together on a service project during the community-wide Sharefest weekend Sept 9-11.

Instructor Phyllis McCluskey-Titus wanted the graduate students studying college students to interact with first year students in a meaningful way, and wanted the first year students to perhaps develop mentors and resource persons on campus (most of the grad students are staff in campus offices within Student Affairs or University College).

Students were offered 2 different service projects. One was to paint an entire house (5 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, great room, entryway) for 2 families being relocated here after hurricane Katrina. The other project was to conduct yard work and to paint a bathroom for a local childcare center.

All the students participating wrote papers discussing the experience and what they had learned about themselves, about the other students they worked with, and their thoughts about serving others. Students also did an in-class activity that emphasized connections between seemingly unrelated things and people and likened it to the experience of conducting service here in Bloomington-Normal and of knowing how this service effects others far and wide.

This was an amazing experience for both classes and I hope to repeat it with modifications (suggested by students) for next year.

Contact Information:
Phyllis McCluskey-Titus
Education Administration and Foundations
College of Education