Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Poster
Session Abstract or Summary
This poster presentation will offer an overview of an alternative spring break service program at Ohio University. This program, which is in its third year, provides students with the opportunity to explore the many mountains and musics of South Eastern Appalachian Ohio from a community strengths perspective.
Presentation #1 Title
Exploring the Many Musics and Strengths of South Eastern Appalachian Ohio: An Alternative Spring Break Experience
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This poster presentation will offer an overview of an alternative spring break service program at Ohio University. This program, which is in its third year, provides students with the opportunity to explore the many mountains and musics of South Eastern Appalachian Ohio from a community strengths perspective. This is a collaborative effort involving both university and local community partners. Our goal has been to bridge the gap between student’s life on campus and the richness of the life of our local community. The “musics” explored in this program included the history of Appalachian Ohio, local activist efforts to preserve and protect the beauty and culture of Appalachia. The program also offered students an opportunity to learn about the environmental impact left by extraction industries and the efforts of local people to address the pressing realities of this legacy. This poster will offer participants an opportunity to explore the planning and development of this program. The learning outcomes of this alternative spring break experience will be discussed. Importantly, the poster will explore the importance of positioning these types of programs from a strengths and community assets perspective.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Barbara Harrison, M.A. serves as Assistant Director for Community Engagement within the Division of Student Affairs at Ohio University. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education from New York University.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Dr. Michael Hess holds the B.A. in Social Sciences, the M.Ed. in College Student Personnel, and the Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from Ohio University. He currently teaches courses in the Critical Studies in Education program.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Chelsea Foster holds a Bachelor's degree from Ohio University and is in her first year in the MPA program at the Voinovich School at Ohio University. Chelsea also serves as the Graduate Assistant for Community Engagement within the Division of Student Affairs at Ohio University
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Melissa Wales serves as the Executive Director of United Campus Ministry in Athens Ohio. She graduated from Heidelberg College in 1991 and served as VISTA Volunteer in Northern Virginia and a Boys' Hope Volunteer in Chicago. She worked for the Corporation for National Service state office in Columbus, Ohio, and with a nonprofit serving homeless people living with HIV/AIDS. She has an MA in International Development Studies with a Certificate in Women's Studies from Ohio University and teaches part time in the OU Women's and Gender Studies Program.
Exploring the Many Musics and Strengths of South Eastern Appalachian Ohio: An Alternative Spring Break Experience
This poster presentation will offer an overview of an alternative spring break service program at Ohio University. This program, which is in its third year, provides students with the opportunity to explore the many mountains and musics of South Eastern Appalachian Ohio from a community strengths perspective. This is a collaborative effort involving both university and local community partners. Our goal has been to bridge the gap between student’s life on campus and the richness of the life of our local community. The “musics” explored in this program included the history of Appalachian Ohio, local activist efforts to preserve and protect the beauty and culture of Appalachia. The program also offered students an opportunity to learn about the environmental impact left by extraction industries and the efforts of local people to address the pressing realities of this legacy. This poster will offer participants an opportunity to explore the planning and development of this program. The learning outcomes of this alternative spring break experience will be discussed. Importantly, the poster will explore the importance of positioning these types of programs from a strengths and community assets perspective.
