USD alums named to AmeriCorps VISTA program at CAE

VanHove, a native of Marion, S.D., and a 2008 graduate of The U, recently concluded service as an AmeriCorps member with City of Lakes AmeriCorps where she worked with disadvantaged children and families in Minneapolis, Minn. Gustafson, from Pierre, S.D., graduated from USD in May and, as a student, was very active in the Center’s AWOL (Alternative Week of Off Campus Learning) program.  

VanHove and Gustafson are provided to the University through a grant from the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education. The Consortium, a group of more than 25 institutions of higher education in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, supports the development of academic and co-curricular service-learning programs in their institutions with their communities. USD has been an active member of the Consortium since 2002, frequently acting as a formal mentor to other institutions in their service-learning programs.

A photo of VanHove is available for download at www.usd.edu/urelations/images/Brittany_VanHove.jpg while a photograph of Gustafson is available for download at www.usd.edu/urelations/images/Donielle_Gustafson.jpg.

The U's partnership with the federal Corporation for National and Community Service has been successful in connecting students with their communities. Since 2003, students in USD's innovative undergraduate graduation requirement, the IdEA Program, have contributed more than 65,000 hours of community support to agencies in their hometowns, Vermillion and in other states. Students working in various academic disciplines have also launched several successful service-learning activities. This work is part of the commitment by USD to prepare students to be critical thinkers, leaders, lifelong learners and productive citizens in an increasingly diverse world.

About the Center for Academic Engagement

The CAE was created as a central point of contact for students to find experiential learning information, including information about service-learning, undergraduate research, study abroad and off-campus academic experiences.  The office is also a place where faculty can receive support for integrating service-learning and other experiential activities into their courses.  Finally, the office acts as a general volunteer clearinghouse for Vermillion and the surrounding area.The CAE is supported by the University and a grant from Learn and Serve America through the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education and the Corporation for National & Community Service.  For information on upcoming events e-mail the CAE at engage@usd.edu or visit the Web site at www.usd.edu/engage.

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