Completed Projects
Service-learning
UNCG
I worked with UNCG’s Office of Leadership and Service Learning in a various positions, concluding as Assistant Director of Service-Learning. In this role, I helped oversee all aspects of a growing academic service-learning program with nearly 1000 students enrolled in over 30 courses in three schools and eight departments across campus.
UNCG defines service-learning as a way to link “community action and academic study so that each strengthens the other. Students, faculty, and community partners collaborate to enable students to address community needs, foster initiative, build effective relationships, enhance academic skills, and develop civic literacy. Service-learning encourages critical consideration of the ethical dimensions of community engagement.”
- Review the Service-Learning Course Designation Process I developed as Chair of the SVL Designation Committee
- See a PowerPoint on Leadership Development in Service-Learning presented at the 2008 International Research Conference on Service-Learning and Community Engagement.
Anker Book
Learning The Language Of Global Citizenship is a practical, topical book for service-learning and language educators in applied linguistics and related disciplines such as English, foreign language education, hearing and speech sciences, and TESOL. While introducing readers to up-to-date and unique approaches to and research on first- and second-language acquisition, language policy and planning, language testing and methodology, assessment, bilingualism, and inter-languages, this book also raises questions central to many undergraduate and graduate courses with social justice themes by addressing educational, linguistic, and human rights issues.
The projects and methods described in the volume emphasize the importance of second language proficiency for establishing and sustaining community partnerships in today’s multilingual and multicultural societies. While providing exemplary models of service-learning research and praxis in language education on issues such as first- and second-language acquisition, bilingualism, language policy and planning, and assessment, the book uses a social justice framework to make the case for promoting and preparing learners for educated, engaged citizenship in both local and global arenas.
Special Issue of Reflections – Exploring Diversity in Community-Based Writing and Literacy Programs
In spring 2007, I guest-edited a special issue of the journal, Reflections: Writing Service-Learning, and Community Literacy. The issue explores the theoretical, political, and ethical implications of community-based writing and literacy instruction in culturally diverse settings. As guest editor, I had the pleasure of bringing together prominent and emerging scholars from English Studies, women and gender studies, ethnic studies, multicultural education, and other fields that work with traditionally marginalized student populations. Below is the journal cover and the introduction I wrote for the issue.
- Reflections 6.1 cover | introduction
LPNA
When I lived in North Carolina, I served on the executive committee for my neighborhood for several years in a variety of positions. One of the projects I oversaw was to develop funding and material for neighborhood Web site.