Two faculty members selected as Service-Learning Fellows

This year, the University of Georgia's Office of Service-Learning has selected two faculty members from the Mary Frances Early College of Education to participate in its yearlong Service-Learning Fellows program.

Established in 2006, the Service-Learning Fellows program provides faculty members from a range of disciplines an opportunity to integrate academic service-learning into their teaching. In addition to receiving an award of up to $2,500, the Fellows will meet regularly throughout the academic year for informative seminars that will help them develop their own proposed service-learning projects.

The two faculty members selected as 2021-22 Service-Learning Fellows are:

• Todd Dinkelman: Dinkelman, an associate professor in the department of mathematics, science and social studies education, will create a project that centers discussion and dialogue as key features of meaningful civic education. "The Service-Learning Fellows program promises to create rich opportunities for discussion and dialogue among a diverse group of Fellows as we work to develop varied service-learning projects," he said. "I believe the process of working together with Fellows from across campus will help us all craft engaging projects that bring together academic goals and community service."

• Jamon Flowers: Flowers, a clinical assistant professor in the department of lifelong education, administration and policy, will use the fellowship to learn how to create a service-learning project that is grounded by the request of a community or organization and principled in reciprocal learning. "Additionally, I will use the knowledge gained to refine the College's current educational administration and policy programs so that aspiring and practicing educational leaders will have a more robust understanding of the importance of service-learning while strengthening communities," he said.

Academic service-learning integrates organized service activities into courses as a way to enhance academic content, teach civic responsibility and provide mutual benefit to the community.