{"id":686,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/nationalhonorrollforcommunityservice-2014\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:41","slug":"nationalhonorrollforcommunityservice-2014","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/nationalhonorrollforcommunityservice-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 WCSU recognized on National Honor Roll for Community Service"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 Western Connecticut State University<\/a> was named for the second year in a row to the President\u2019s Higher Education Community Service Honor Rol<\/a>l. The 2014 designation recognizes the university\u2019s commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThese achievements represent important partnerships, service learning components in the classroom, and community service initiatives,\u201d said Dr. Ann Atkinson, WCSU associate vice president for Academic Affairs, who led Western\u2019s effort to qualify for the honor roll. \u201cWe have demonstrated that we are building upon our previous success by being named to the Honor Roll for a second year.\u201d<\/p>\n

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One project that helped Western earn this distinction is the research of Dr. Neeta Connally, assistant professor of Environmental & Biological Sciences<\/a>, and several of her students, who collected and tracked deer ticks at the Nature Preserve on Western\u2019s Westside campus and several western Connecticut towns including Ridgefield and Newtown. They count the ticks they gather and test some to determine whether they carry Lyme disease or other infections. They also work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a community Lyme disease prevention study in several towns Connecticut towns.<\/p>\n

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\u201cTick-borne diseases like Lyme disease are a major problem in our region. The community component of our work is very important,\u201d Connally said. \u201cWorking directly with residents is key to our understanding of how to limit the spread of infected ticks and prevent people from getting sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Also in the Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Dr. Mitch Wagener, professor, and associate professor Dr. Edward Wong, guide students to research the threat of invasive species such as zebra mussels in Candlewood Lake and several other bodies of water in the region. They partner with the Candlewood Lake Authority, volunteer groups and individual residents to identify areas of concern and determine how to react when the WCSU lab discovers new infestations or expansion of old ones.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe work with people who are directly affected by our research,\u201d Wagener said. \u201cWe can disseminate our findings quickly because we are working so closely with residents and the organizations they have formed to protect these important bodies of water. We feel we are part of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Another project that helped Western earn the honor roll distinction is \u201cBuilding a Bridge to Improve Student Success.\u201d A collaboration between WCSU and Bethel and Danbury high schools and middle schools, the Bridge program identifies high school standards with college expectations and improves access, accountability and affordability. Students who participate in the program are more likely to be able to avoid college remedial classes and shorten graduation time and expense. <\/p>\n

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\u201cWe work with hundreds of students, and their families and teachers, each year,\u201d said Melissa Carlo, the program\u2019s project coordinator. \u201cOur professors \u2014 and most important, our students \u2014 work with high school and middle school students as mentors, providing information about post-secondary education, fostering potential, engaging students and increasing their abilities to succeed at a college or university. After a decade, we are fully integrated into the Danbury and Bethel communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Finally, a two-course sequence in the Social Work Department<\/a> allows students to work with community groups and organizations to bring about positive social change on a significant issue.<\/p>\n

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In 2014, the project focused on addressing campus-based sexual assault and improving student physical and mental well-being. Students formed a collaborative team with other student organizations and university administrators and staff to address campus sexual assault, student substance abuse, campus safety and student mental health.<\/p>\n

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\u201cStudents get involved in projects they create themselves, addressing areas of need, they have identified themselves,\u201d said Dr. Patricia Ivry, chair of the Department of Social Work. \u201cThis course provides students with the opportunity to connect with the campus community, the Danbury community and the larger community in a meaningful way. Graduates of our program develop a better sense of civic involvement in their own communities and in larger, sometimes global issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Honor Roll is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service\u2019s<\/a> (CNCS) strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service. CNCS has administered the award since 2006 and manages the program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education and Campus Compact.<\/p>\n

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For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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\n Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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