Academic Civic Engagement: Fostering faculty and non-faculty relationships for student success

Misti McKeehen, who serves as the Director of the Office of PittServes will discuss the pilot program of iServe@PittServes, a semester long opportunity for undergraduate and graduate level students to utilize their time and talents to better community based agencies, while also enhancing their academic skills and practicing their future craft. In response to community based organization and government office requests for support the pilot program of iServe@PittServes was created to address the skills gap often experienced in nonprofit agencies. Utilizing nearly a decade of 501c3 work experience and an MS in Community Leadership, Ms. McKeehen connected the academic interests of the School for Information Sciences with the needs based assessments reported by community partners. This collaboration enhances both the experience of our students while fostering greater collaboration and support for our most important community based partners. Engaging the focus on humanities, iServe@PittServes also explores the intersectionality between the craft of information sciences with the clients served by each agency. Each university and college attending the presentation will be encouraged to consider how to best engage their students in academically based civic engagement that enhances the mission and vision of local partners. Presentation Outline: Welcome and Introduction Overview and context of iServe@PittServes programWhy the School for Information Science?Who are the students serving?How were agencies recruited and selected? How to build the relationships and sustainable partnerships to create similar program models - Current climate of your own campus- Addressing the needs of local nonprofit and government agencies- How to build a long-term structure engaging students in service to their community, build lasting relationships and foster potential internship, co-op, or hiring opportunities What’s next?- How to engage academic and non-academic units in sustainable partnerships to allow for mutually beneficial experiences.- How to craft the message of importance to the community and university.- Engaging students in long-term civic engagement