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Spring 2009The Shriver Center at UMBC • 1000 Hilltop Circle • Baltimore MD • 21250410-455-2493 -http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu /

The Shriver Center

Welcome!

2009 has been a very busy andexciting time for The Shriver Center …and it’sonly May! The Center continues to reach outin creating new relationships while enhancingand strengthening existing collaborationssince we know that partnerships stand as thecornerstone of our efforts to effectively carryout our mission.The Center relied on existing partnershipsand created new ones in designing itsproposal to bring the $9.5 million endowedSargent Shriver Peace Institute (SSPI) to UMBC. If funded, our SSPI activities will build a lasting Sargent Shriver legacy and moveour nation and the world toward a culture of peace. In December 2008, the Maryland Campus Compact (MDCC) was officiallyformed, with UMBC as one of its 22 founding members. TheCenter took the lead on preparing MDCC’s nearly $500,000proposal to the Corporation for National & Community Service.This project will bring together the resources and expertise of astate-wide collaborative of 12 K-Higher Education, nonprofit andvolunteer organizations to use service-learning as the guidingframework for addressing issues exacerbated by the currenteconomic crisis. MDCC, along with the University of Baltimore(UB), and the Baltimore Collegetown Network also partnered withthe Center on sponsoring the 2

annual regional service-learningand civic engagement conference, “Stewards of Place: ConnectingCampus and Community” at UB.The strength and effectiveness of Choice’s almost 20-year partnership with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services hasled to an expansion of the program in Baltimore City andBaltimore County—120 more youth and families will be providedintensive support and advocacy as a result of this enhanced effort.Center alumni represent a critical resource for our programs andstudents. We leveraged our partnerships with alumni for a pilotAlumni Shadowing initiative over winter session and an inauguralShriver Living Learning Center reunion. These relationships provideinvaluable opportunities for student learning and personal andprofessional growth.Finally, some of you may notice a difference between the twopictures of me on this page! I’m happy to share that I was growingmy hair to donate to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization thatprovides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children whosuffer from long-term medical hair loss for any reason. If you’reinterested in finding out more, visit their website atwww.locksoflove.org!

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The Shriver Center was presented with the 2009 Best Practice Award fromthe Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA)this monthduring their national conference in Portland, Oregon. The award waspresented to our Professional Practice team in recognition of UMBC’scomprehensive and innovative work-based learning programs.Over the past 15 years, The Center has coordinated nearly 18,000internship, cooperative education, and service-learning placements for UMBCstudents. With the addition and expansion of its Lunch & Learn IndustrySeries, Shriver On the Road ﬁeldtrips to worksites, and Student/Alumni JobShadow Day Program, The Shriver Center continues to engage more studentsearly on in their career to build excitement and participation in acomprehensive array of work-based learning opportunities.

Inside this issue:Service-Learning - pages 2-4The Choice Program - page 5Professional Practice - pages 6-7Shriver Peaceworker Fellows Program - pages 8-9

The Shriver Center’s Professional Practice Staff:From L-R, Kerry Kidwell-Slak, Mike Oettel, MicheleWolff, Shriver Center Director, Casey Miller, andChristine Routzahn, Director of Professional Practice.

Shriver Center DirectorMichele Wolff

Spring 2009The Shriver Center at UMBC • 1000 Hilltop Circle • Baltimore MD • 21250410-455-2493 -http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu /

Staff Spotlight:

Shirley CarringtonShriver Center Ofﬁce Supervisor

Shirley Carrington has been working at theShriver Center for 15 years as the OfficeSupervisor. In 2007, she accepted theadditional role of Interview Specialist for theProfessional Practice Programs. “This newrole is such a good fit for me; I enjoyinteractingwith, encouragingandempowering UMBC students.” AsInterview Specialist, Shirley helps studentsnavigate the interview process. She provides one-on-one mockinterviews,interview feedback, and encouragement.While Shirley also conducts interview workshops at the beginning of thespring and fall semesters, she favors the individualized experienceprovided by the one-on-one sessions. She believes that meeting with astudent one-on-one is a more intimate setting, where questions can be morepersonalized. “Students tend to interact more comfortably-- sharing pastinterview mistakes or present fears, and together we discuss how to movepast these concerns.” Shirley enjoys hearing back from students abouttheir interview experiences; seeing them become more confident is veryrewarding to her.A current student at UMBC, Shirley believes this opportunity has allowedher to have a greater understanding of (and respect for) the challengesthat many students face. She is working on a dual B.A. in Social Workand Management of Aging Services. Shirley also serves as a teammember of the Senior Ministry at Restoring Life International Church,where she assists senior citizens in their pursuit to remain healthy,independent, and engaged members of their community. In addition, shevolunteers with Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care in Baltimore, MD.“Helping others has always been a part of my life experiences, theimpetus of my purpose, and a principle of my faith. If I were to chooseone quote to sum up why I do what I do, it would be this one by WilliamPenn,”

“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindnessI can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow human being, let medo it now and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”

Contact Shirley at The Shriver Center or atshirleyc@umbc.eduto schedulean interview prep session.

Carlo DiClemente, Ph.D.Panos Charamlambides, Ph.D.Diane Lee, Ph.D. Co-Chair Jason Loviglio, Ph.D., Co-Chair John S. Martello, Ph.D.CherylMiller, Ph.D.Arthur Pittenger, Ph.D.Phyllis Robinson, Ph.D. Julia Ross, Ph.D.Andrew Sears, Ph.D.Anna Shields, Ph.D.Lynn Sparling, Ph.D.

Shriver Center Faculty Advisory Board

Connecting Campus and CommunityThrough Local Service-Learning andCommunity Engagement Conference

On Saturday, April 4

, 2009, over 140 students, faculty,and staff from numerous college campuses across Marylandjoined 25+ community partners and presenters for a service-learning and civic engagement conference hosted by theUniversity of Baltimore. “Stewards of Place: ConnectingCampus and Community” was co-sponsored by UMBC, theBaltimore Collegetown Network, and the newly formedMaryland Campus Compact. This event was modeled after the April 2008 “Solutions Through Service” Conferenceheld at UMBC and co-sponsored by the BaltimoreCollegetown Network. Katie Ryan, BaltimoreCollegetownNetwork’s Student Outreach Assistant (UMBC ‘06),comments that “bringing together students, faculty, and staff from all over Maryland to engage in collaborativediscussion about service-learning is critical to the success of campus-community partnerships, and to building a regiondedicated to civic engagement...that is why the BaltimoreCollegetown Network is committed to supportingconferences like this one.” Jessica Elfenbein, Professor of History and CommunityStudies in the University of Baltimore’s Division of Legal,Ethical and Historical Studies, and Associate Provost for University Engagement, recognizes that “students, facultyand staff bring an enormous amount of energy andexpertise to a given initiative, but the secret of successinvolves a good understanding of scale and the potential for positive change. You always strive for the applied research,engagement or service-learning project to be seen astransformative, even empowering. That’s one of the biggestpositives of having a college or university next door.”Shriver Center colleagues Kelley Cohill and Kate Carver from The Choice Program presented on “The Potential of Service-Learning in Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers: TheChoice Community Service-Learning Fellowship.” Other presenters included the Governor’s Office of CommunityInitiatives, Volunteer Maryland, Maryland Nonprofits, andthe Baltimore Green Map, as well as numerous colleaguesat universities and colleges across Maryland sharing their best practices. The Shriver Center’s Lori Hardesty andClare Greene served on the conference’s planningcommittee.This year’s event featured a sustainable theme, whichincluded a green caterer and was evident from thecommunity partners showcased. Towson University willhost next year’s conference.

Spring 2009The Shriver Center at UMBC • 1000 Hilltop Circle • Baltimore MD • 21250410-455-2493 -http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu /

Service-Learning

At The Shriver Center, studentsengage in meaningful service to their community;

theylearn skills, develop social consciousness and exploretheir life’s work. By putting

scholarship into action,students and faculty help meet the challenges of their local

communities and help to fulﬁll their responsibilities as citizens.

Students Give Back, Gain Affordable Experiencethrough Alternative Spring Break

UMBC’s Four Alternative Spring Break trips offered students thechance to work with children and people with disabilities, assist withtrail building and experience homelessness ﬁrsthand. “These trips arefor students who want to volunteer with Alternative Spring Break butdon’t have the money,” said Jordanna Spencer, a Shriver Peaceworker Fellow who has served as Graduate Coordinator for Service and Volunteerism. “Financial opportunities are tight; thesetrips will give students an opportunity to become immersed and havean extensive experience at a low price.” Participating students paid$75, cooked together, and camped out in three lounges. Two studentleaders supported each group along with volunteers both in andoutside of the Division of Student Affairs.The four trips were planned around the economy and the passions of students. One group worked with The ARC of Carroll County, anorganization assisting people with developmental disabilities.Another group worked on the Gwynns Falls Trail, in a projectspearheaded by UMBC’s Students for Environmental Awareness(SEA). The third Baltimore group experienced “A Day in the Life: APoverty and Homeless Simulation” through which they embarked ona full 12-hour simulation of living in Baltimore on $2 a day. Thesestudents also spent the week volunteering with Centro, Helping UpMission, CAN Bannaker Center, St. Vincent De Paul's, and Sarah'sHope. The fourth group went to The Gesundheit Institute in Hillsboro,West Virginia, an organization UMBC has volunteered with in thepast and one that is popular with students. While at the Institute,students use an alternative approach of medicine by interacting withpatients through a variety of games and activities. This year marks thelast of Spencer’s ASB coordination, as she is graduating with her Master’s degree in the spring. She hopes the program will providestudents with more Alternative Spring Break options in thefuture.

“We hope the program grows and students become moreimmersed,”Spencer said. “With additional ﬁnancial supportin the future, we can provide more opportunities for students.” The Service-Learning Program hosted its inaugural Service-Learning Fair on Friday, February 6

in UMBC’s UniversityCenter. More than 30 community partners and schools wer einvited to attend the event and recruit for UMBC studentvolunteers with their programs. A wide range of service-learning opportunities reﬂected the diversity of student serviceinterests: St. Agnes Hospital, International Rescue Committee,Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Baltimore Animal Rescue andCare Shelter (BARCS), Upward Bound, and MS-SwimTherapy Program.UMBC students, staff, and faculty were able to meet one-on-one with local organizations and learn more about their missions and volunteer needs. All enjoyed light refreshmentsand free Starbucks coffee, which was donated by the store at856 N. Rolling Rd. in Catonsville for the event. Additionally,Service-Learning teamed up with Starbucks to offer ServicePledge coupons at the fair. Students could receive a free cupof Starbucks coffee (in-store) in exchange for pledging toserve ﬁve hours in their local community.The fair kicked off the Spring 2009 semester, which has seenthe largest number of student enrollments ever in Service-Learning! More than 320 students have been placed throughthe Service-Learning Program, with a commitment to providemore than 9,600 hours of service to the local community thissemester.

Service-Learning Fair BringsCommunity Partners to Campus

The “A Day in the Life” ASB Group: Back Row: David Hoffman,Gerado Benavides, Justin Donlan, Ryan Riehl, AlexandriaVolkening, Anna Mahr Front Row: Kavit Kothary, DivyaPatel,Achsah Joseph, Kati Henry

UMBC Awarded the2008 President'sHigher EducationCommunity ServiceHonor Roll withDistinction

For the second year in a row, UMBC received this highhonor from this newly launched program (2006). TheHonor Roll is a program of the Corporation for Nationaland Community Service, and is sponsored by the President’sCouncil on Service and Civic Participation, and the U.S.Departments of Education and Housing and UrbanDevelopment. This year, UMBC received the highestcollege/university recognition awarded in Maryland.