The Service Learning Initiative awarded several deserving recipients with the title of Outstanding Contributions to Service Learning at a recent ceremony on March 10. Held in Gearhart Hall's Honors Lounge, the ceremony expanded from previous years to include not only faculty, student and class awards, but also a new category for community partners.  

Teaching Award 

Amelia McGowan, assistant professor and director of the Immigration Clinic at the U of A School of Law, was honored with the Teaching Award. The service learning director, Lisa Bowers, spoke about the qualifications that influenced the Service Learning Committee to vote for McGowan as the deserving recipient this year.

"[McGowan's] legal clinics on immigration have offered students invaluable Service Learning experiences," Bowers said. "Through these clinics, students gain practical skills in immigration law, deepen their understanding of justice and contribute meaningfully to local and global conversations on asylum and human rights. Professor McGowan's work extends beyond the classroom, with significant contributions to the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission and engagement on national and international platforms, further solidifying her impact as a leader in both legal education and social justice." 

Student Awards 

Nominated by Flint Harris, undergraduate student Carson Lambert received recognition for his innovative work in search engine optimization (SEO). Lambert created an Amazon page for Spindrift Sparkling Water, incorporating relevant keywords to boost search visibility. Additionally, he crafted a compelling set of key points directed at the brand's target audience. Lambert's team won the competition, and he earned top marks in peer evaluations for his contributions. 

Graduate students Baylee Nix, Makenzie Bradford, Maggie Tabor and Madison Hight were recognized for their collaborative work with a community member living with multiple sclerosis. Together, they developed solutions to improve the safety and accessibility of her front door, demonstrating excellent problem-solving, adaptability and advocacy. Their work was nominated by Shaina Meyer. 

Class Award 

The Class Award was presented to the Integrated Marketing Communications course, taught by professor Anne Velliquette. In this hands-on class, students participated in the Shopper Marketing Brand Challenge with Hormel Brands' Black Label Bacon. Alongside 24 other teams, students developed pitch decks and creative briefs to reposition the brand for Gen Z consumers. Winning teams had the opportunity to present at Hormel's corporate office and win a year's supply of bacon. Nominations from students Tatum Meyer and Daphnee Honey highlighted the valuable experience they gained from the course. 

Additional Nominated Classes 

• Communicating Body Image, taught by Angela Mensah, was nominated by community partner Karen January from the Washington County Juvenile Court, 4th Judicial Circuit, Division 8. In this course, students help guide young women in the Washington County juvenile justice system, teaching them about nutrition, exercise, self-love and the harmful effects of social media on teenage girls. 

• Parenting and Family Dynamics, taught by Donia Timby, was nominated by community partner Joshua Lainfiesta of the Yvonne Richardson Community Center. Students in this course support after-school programs by providing enrichment activities such as reading, physical education and STEM, giving children a safe space to learn, grow and socialize. 

Community Partner Award 

This year's inaugural Community Partner Award was presented to the EMPOWER program, through a nomination by Jacquelyn Wiersma-Mosley. EMPOWER offers a four-year, non-degree college experience for students with cognitive disabilities. The program, hosted in a public university setting, focuses on functional academics, independent living, employment, social skills and health/wellness, with the ultimate goal of fostering self-sufficiency in young adults. 

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About Service Learning: Service learning is a credit-bearing, faculty-directed experience that strengthens academic knowledge and civic responsibility. Through service learning, students build critical thinking skills while engaging in community-based activities that align with course content. If you are interested in receiving the Service Learning designation for a course you teach, please contact Service Learning Coordinator Noelle Kingsbauer at svclrn01@uark.edu. For more information about exciting opportunities with the Service Learning Initiative, visit their website.