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Five Hawk Tank Winners in EHS

hawk tank

Five EHS projects are receiving funding from the Women's Giving Circle! 

Those include:

Dr. Elise Radina submitted for "Child Life Specialist Medical/Therapeutic Plan Lending Library"  Presenter: Jordan Oldham

Child life specialists work with children experiencing illness or injury in order to provide them and their families with education, support and appropriate intervention. Family Science and Social Work (FSW) students who are pursuing certification as child life specialists sought M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Giving Circle grant funding to make initial purchases of necessary therapeutic/medical play tools and materials for exploration and practice related to FSW 445/545.

Dr. Tammy Schwartz submitted for "The Urban Cohort"  Presenter: Andrea Spenny

The Urban Cohort Program (UC) at Miami allows students from any major to participate in
a place-based education in an urban setting. In the Urban Cohort, Miami students become a part of the urban community and learn by engaging in a variety of immersive experiences with community members and stakeholders. 

Transformative learning requires that we expand our classrooms beyond the walls of the university and tap into the wealth of community, family and school. The UC program enables Miami students to see themselves as agents of social change, advocating for social justice alongside youth and other community members.

The purpose of this project is to be able to meet the demands due to increased enrollment in the Urban Cohort. This M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN’s grant would enable the Urban Cohort Program to expand to serve an additional 50 students.

Dr. Sheri Leafgren and Kim Wachenheim submitted for "From College to Classroom and Back" (the ECT mentoring program)  Presenter: Kristy Jacob

Miami’s Department of Teacher Education takes tremendous pride in the innovative practices our faculty have implemented to prepare our students for the unique challenges of teaching in high-need, urban schools. In fact, of Miami graduates issued Ohio teaching licenses in 2015-16 and 2016-17, more than 40% work in urban schools (far exceeding the state average of 15%) and 46% work at schools classified as high-need.

This project will help Miami early career teachers learn how to reduce feelings of isolation, lack of agency, inadequacy and frustration at systemic inequities and increase feelings of support, understanding and confidence to build their own intellectual and emotional capacity and continue working as teachers.

This support will include a year-long package of experiences, launched with a three-day summer professional development institute. There will be an action-research project designed to help early career teachers (ECTs) solve their problems, and monthly meetings to create a network of support and learning among alumni. Because these alums all teach at different schools, each alum will bring a colleague from their school to the meetings, too, to create supports in their own schools. Additional sources of funding are being explored to sustain the program for Year 2 and beyond.

Richelle Frabotta submitted with Dr. Kimberly Moore for "Communication, connection, and community" (3C's)  Presenter: Kimberly Moore

This innovative and evidence-informed pilot program, 3Cs, unites the Division of Student Life, FSW Sexuality Education Studies Center (College of Education, Health and Society), and Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation (College of Arts and Science) in a common goal: advance best practices sexuality education across campus to engage students’ unique sense of self, promote personal agency and diminish sexual violence while increasing health and well-being.

By training Student Life staff in standards of sexuality education, we co-create more knowledgeable, comfortable, accessible and askable human resources. Whether in workshop presentations or one-on-one (on or off the job), we anticipate that trained 3Cs staff will enhance decision-making abilities, expand communication skills and ultimately cultivate a safer, more connected community.

Devin M. Moran submitted with Kate Kuvalanka and Hannah Thompson for "Opening the Door: Bringing a Clothing Closet to Trans Individuals at Miami University" Presenter: Hannah Thompson

Most people do not think twice about walking into clothing stores and picking out and trying on clothes. Transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals, however, may face unique challenges and barriers in this regard.

Providing TGNC students, who may be experiencing gender-related distress, with access to
free clothes in an open and welcoming space could be lifesaving. College campuses across the country have begun offering “clothing closets” – safe and inclusive spaces where individuals of all genders can try on “gently used” and new clothing options and take what they like for free. By providing these safe spaces, the goal is to reduce stigma and distress for TGNC individuals.

M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN grant money will be used to fund storage and display equipment, compensation for student workers and consultants, and new clothes and accessories to ensure that we are best serving our diverse clientele.

The Clothing Closet is expected to serve approximately 400 visitors and distribute at least 800 articles of clothing in its first year.