Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Dennis.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The idea for the project was originally conceived after a student in my writing course revealed that she spent the last of her last money for the week on gas to come to class and would not be able to buy food until her next paycheck. Thankfully, our campus had recently opened a food pantry, and she took home two sacks of groceries to get through the week. Ultimately, she not only passed the English course with an A but after receiving the food, she went on to become one of the most active volunteers at the food pantry and even served on the board of directors. This student had a strong desire to become involved and pay forward the benefit that she received. I realized that through the years, many students revealed their desire to give back to the community in some meaningful way. I strive to provide assignments that give students the opportunity to write for real-world situations, so it just seemed natural to marry the two—a writing course where students’ work in the course would contribute to a larger purpose. Consequently, the Undergraduate Research Institute on our campus offers grant funding for projects like these, so I applied for and won the $500 grant and was able to carry out the concept by designing the curriculum for a freshman composition course that allows students to utilize meaningful research and collaborate with fellow students as well as local non-profit organizations.
In the ENGL 1301 course, students work in small, collaborative groups to research the needs of five local non-profit organizations (Last year’s participants included: CASA, Family Promise, Shattered Lives, Yes to Youth and Greenzone Housing). Throughout the semester, students work both individually and in groups to conduct both primary and secondary research about the background and needs of the non-profit organizations as well as the issues that the organizations represent. Students ultimately use this research to create proposals that will explain/argue the need of their assigned organization in hopes of their project winning the grant funding. The grant funding is probably one of the essential components of the course design because it not only allows for healthy competition between groups, but it also grants students the ability to make a visible impact in the community through the proposals they create in the course. Students not only gain a strong foundation in composition skills, but through contextual learning, community outreach, and collaboration, they gain relevant and valuable real-life experiences. Since I was only able to receive the grant from the Undergraduate Research Institute twice on our campus, I now seek local businesses who are willing to donate funds for the project. Sequent Energy donated funds in 2018 and has committed to a donation for this fall as well.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Probably, the biggest obstacle has been the funding piece of the puzzle. Thanks to Sequent, some of those worries have been dispelled, but there is always room to grow. The more money the students have to work with, the more money they can give away to local organizations in need.
Please tell us about Lone Star College- Montgomery.
Lone Star College is an affordable option for higher education and offers small classes and flexible schedules. Six campuses in the Houston metro area offer academic, workforce, lifelong learning programs, and most importantly, LSC is committed to helping students find success both in their college experience and beyond the classroom.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3200 College Park Drive, Conroe, Texas 77384
- Website: www.lonestar.edu
- Phone: 281-610-7467
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Sam Negrete
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