Missy Dreisbach, Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at UA, facilitated a collaboration between Akron Public Schools, senior engineering design teams from the College of Engineering and Polymer Science, and the Akron Soap Box Derby. The objective was to develop adaptive derby cars to enable individuals with diverse abilities and needs to participate in tandem rides. Two senior engineering design teams tackled this challenge: Team 1, comprising students Kaden Katanic, CJ Heckle, Christopher Heckle, and Derek Parks, focused on addressing X, while Team 2, including students Katelyn McMullen and others, tackled Y. In April, the designs were showcased at Senior Engineering Design Day, and in May, the
student teams tested their creations at the Soap Box Derby hills. CEC funds played a crucial role in procuring parts and materials for the derby car designs, facilitating the realization of this innovative and inclusive project.

Kim Bass, ASL Coordinator and Associate Professor of Instruction in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at UA, spearheaded a collaboration with NEOAccess, LLC to elevate the educational experience of students enrolled in the First Responders to the Deaf Community course. Leveraging CEC funds, this partnership aimed to bolster students' proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) and cultivate a deeper understanding of deaf culture. By enlisting the expertise of six members from the deaf community, the initiative provided students with invaluable opportunities for hands-on learning and interaction.

Through structured conversation practice sessions led by these community members, students gained practical experience in ASL communication while also gaining insight into the unique perspectives and experiences of deaf individuals. By compensating the participating community members, the program not only honored their contributions but also underscored the
importance of equitable recognition and support for their expertise. This collaborative endeavor underscores UA's dedication to inclusive education and underscores the value of community partnerships in fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment.

Roketenetz and Holliday [Un]class used CEC funds to make the education kits

Community-Engaged Learning Through Pen Paling With Incarcerated Individuals 
 
Dr. Dani Jauk-Ajamie, Assistant Professor for Sociology and Criminal Justice, led a Community Engaged Course for two semesters, first with an Introduction to Criminal Justice course (YEAR) , and then with Introduction to Corrections. Both classes pen-paled with incarcerated individuals over the course of the semester so that they could learn more about the criminal justice system. Community Engaged Course funds from EX[L] supported the payment of a community partner that worked to match students to their pen pals, forward the letters, and teach the students how to properly write letters to their pen-pals.  
 
Students were matched with individuals from anywhere in the United States and were given the option of whether or not they would remain anonymous.  and students were required to send at least four letters throughout the semester, with the goal being to learn about the criminal justice system from an inside perspective. Incarcerated individuals shared their experience as well as their aspirations. Students were also able to share bits about themselves as well. Students were placed in reflection groups so that they could discuss their experience throughout the semester. This gave them an opportunity to address any questions or concerns. 
 
Students on the project indicated that this project pushed them outside of their comfort zone and helped them change their mindset and “see the human aspect” of the prisoners.  One past student wrote about their experience, sharing: 
“My pen-pal was able to teach me multiple things about the prison system and just life in general. We share many interests in sports, music, TV shows, life values, and many more. Just recently, he got me hooked on a show called "All American" on Netflix. The biggest thing I learned from this project was not to judge a book by its cover. I first thought that he would try and ask me for money and that he was this hardcore criminal we think of when we hear the word "criminal" or "prisoner", but he was quite the opposite of those stereotypes. In fact, he was one of the most genuine, smart, caring, and soft-spoken people I have ever met. He is just like me. He just happened to make a mistake that cost him his life and freedom. Inmates are just like you and me. They have families that love them, hopes and dreams, favorite shows, music, hobbies, and foods. They just happened to make a bigger mistake and have had to face the consequences.”  

 
 
 

Dr. Randy Mitchells’ students in Wetland Ecology teamed with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) to identify wetlands along the 10 miles of old canal between Ira Road and the Station Road Bridge. Students were grouped into teams of 3-4 and each group was given about 1 mile of land to analyze. Students applied the principles that they learned in class to determine which sections were wetlands, where dominant plants were, and the quality of the wetlands. Community Engaged Course funds from EX[L] supported purchasing equipment for the students to complete their analysis, including soil corers, disinfecting kits, and reflective safety vests. At the end of the semester, students presented their findings to the class and to several CVNP Resource Managers. The CVNP used the results to do more detailed evaluations of the area. 
 
Dr. Mitchell believes this hands-on project greatly enhanced his students' learning experience, noting “The students got a chance to apply what they learned in class to a real-world situation. I think it really helped that they knew that what they did would not just be for a class project but would help the national park better understand and manage its resources.” Dr. Mitchell went on to say that several of the students from that class have gone on to gain employment in wetland consulting and evaluation. 

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In Dr. Amber Ferris' class students learned and applied Principles of Social Media by working with and fundraising for the Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO) non-profit organization in Orrville, OH. The course focused on social media events, social media boosting/ advertising, and the challenges of turning social media engagement into real life engagement. Students successfully planned a fundraising event and created a media campaign for the organization.

Dr. Pat Millhoff’s Legal Aspects of Corrections class involved engagement with incarcerated women and their teenaged children at Northeast Ohio Reintegration Center.

While focusing on their curricular content, the students found the lived experiences of the women and their children contextualized their course material revealing the complexities and ambiguities.

After an event at the Center in which students met with women and children, four women came from the prison to campus to talk further with the class.

Dr. Jodi Kearns’ students in Foundations of Museums & Archives I, processed two archival collections from beginning to end, from opening unprocessed boxes and original sorting to creating series and writing the finding aid. This course used CEC funding for the archival supplies.

An important product of this semester-long work is that the Bernard Saper papers and the Sidney Bijou papers are now open and available to researchers onsite at the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology.

Below are links to the students’ work and these two newly-available collections.

The Triumph of Humor: Bernard Saper Papers Available

Sidney Bijou Papers Open for Research

Dr. Wei Zhang, Dale Dong, Drew Ippoliti and Dr. Petra Gruber, Dr. Melanie McCoskey

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