2011 UCP Awards
Supporting Unique and Innovative Programs
Northern Kentucky University’s Office for Research, Graduate Studies and Regional Stewardship is proud to award the University/Community Partnership grants for 2011. The grant awards support unique and innovative programs designed to address regional problems and provide new opportunities for the community, NKU faculty and students.
Bookfest
The first award is made to Professor Jonathan Cullick, Chair of NKU’s English Department. Professor Cullick’s project titled, Bookfest, expands an important and effective outreach initiative of the Department of English. Bookfest encourages and facilitates both reading and writing by middle school students in grades 5-8. Collaborating with faculty from across campus, this initiative has already reached more than 25 middle schools in Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. This award will expand the program’s reach and stabilize its ongoing viability in support of this important work. In addition to middle schools, Bookfest will partner with The Blue Marble, a prominent local bookstore. Students in the program will read selected books during the school year and attend a celebration on the NKU campus. While on campus students discuss the assigned books, participate in workshops, meet with authors, and receive recognition for their achievements. The UCP grant provides $14,500 for this project.
Understanding Regional Diversity
The second award is made to Jimmie Manning, Associate Professor, Communication Department. Professor Manning’s project titled, Understanding Regional Diversity: Identification and Development for Regional Nonprofits, establishes a year-long program of research and outreach events that will address complex and critical issues of social diversity in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region. The quantitative component of Professor Manning’s research will generate models representing citizen perceptions and experiences of cross-cultural interaction including considerations of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. A second component of this project will explore non-profit leaders' perceptions of diversity-oriented needs for communities, education, organizations, and inter-organizational activities. Data gathered in this project will update the biannual report, Bridges Progress Report on Human Relations in Cincinnati and will inform dialogue forums for regional nonprofit leaders. The UCP grant provides $15,000 for this project.
Service Learning
Several NKU faculty received UCP grants to explore and develop Service Learning courses. These awards are for $3,500 and provide faculty with the opportunity to develop innovative curricula that includes a service learning component. Service learning courses provide an excellent vehicle for connecting academic research to regional problems as represented by area nonprofits. Service learning courses promote deep learning as well as reflection and are often evaluated by students and the community as transformative. The faculty receiving UCP Service Learning grants include: John Rockaway, Geology, for his work with Big Bone Lick State Park; Holly Riffe, Social Work, for her work with Veterans and Families; and Jennifer Smith, Steely Library, for her work with Whiz Kids Book Links.