April. 11, 2012
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the U.S. Department of Education honored the nation's leading colleges and universities, students, faculty members, and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through community service and service learning.
Shawnee State University was named to the Honor Roll for its involvement with the Senior Home Improvement program, a body mass index study and a Christmas shop held in conjunction with Shawnee Mental Health.
"Through service, these institutions are creating the next generation of leaders by challenging students to tackle tough issues and create positive impacts in the community," said Robert Velasco, acting CEO of CNCS.
The U.S. President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Inspired by thousands of college students who traveled across the country to support relief efforts along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, the initiative celebrates the transformative power and volunteer spirit that exists within the higher education community.
According to a report compiled by the Shawnee State University Center for Community Service, more than 1,223 SSU students donated a total of 18,821 hours to the Portsmouth and Scioto County area last year.
Through events such as, the annual MLK Day of Service, 911 Day of Service and Shawnee Gives Back, SSU students worked with more than 35 local agencies to bring attention to such issues as homelessness, cancer, the environment, hunger and poverty. In addition to volunteering, SSU students collected more than $22,000 in donations to help a number of causes during the year.
In 2011, CNCS provided more than $200 million in support to institutions of higher education, including grants to operate service programs and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for college tuition and student loan repayment. CNCS is a catalyst for service learning programs nationwide that connect community service with academic curricula. Through these programs, college students serve their communities while strengthening their academic and civic skills.
CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school's commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.