To me, service has always been a priority. While teaching art, I was voted Teacher of the Year by my colleagues for outstanding service to the school and my students. Within my department at Ohio State, I have continuously been involved, serving as president of my program’s graduate student organization. Beyond my program, I am an orientation facilitator and a graduate teaching fellow for the University Center for the Advancement of Teaching offering support for TAs within and outside of my department. My service also extends into the community as I have volunteered to work with children with developmental delays on art-related projects both at COSI (the Columbus Center of Science and Industry) and in their homes.
Service:
2012-2016. Graduate Student Organization. President (2014-15): Overseeing the entire Graduate Student Organization (funding, social events, and service events), attending faculty meetings, and serving as a liaison between students and faculty members were primary responsibilities. Social Chair (2013-14): Responsible for social gatherings for all graduate students in the Human Development and Family Science Department. Member (2012-2015).
2014. COSI Autism Awareness & Activities Events (Summer 2014). Planned and executed an interdisciplinary art experience for attendees of a special event for children with autism and their families.
2014. COSI Focus Group (Spring 2014). Participated in evaluating COSI programs for children with autism.
2013-2014. Student Reviewer, EHE Scholarship Program (Spring 2013 & Spring 2014).
2012. Student Reviewer, Focus On Autism and Autism Research (Fall, 2012).
2011. International Poverty Solutions Collaborative Methodology Conference, Ohio State University (October 2011). This conference addressed the effects of poverty worldwide in many respects (i.e. to education, jobs, and self esteem). Research was provided in regards to offering solutions to the epidemic of poverty. In addition, the students from Renaissance Elementary provided the “take away” gift for each of the 200 attendees as well as the centerpieces for the Rice Bowl Dinner.
2011-2012. The E.L.i.J.a.H. Movement: Every Life is Joyful and Happy. Founder of The E.L.i.J.a.H. Movement, which strives to show children the value of doing a good deed for someone else. This program tracks a good deed as it travels from one individual to another and visually guides students so they can see how their own kindness affects others in the classroom, school, and community.
2009-2013. Bag Ladies (2009-present). Initiated a gift give-away for underprivileged children in both the Atlanta and Cincinnati areas at Christmas. All gifts are donated and purchased year-round, personally wrapped and organized, and are given away in hopes of giving a child the magic of Christmas. 200 bags are distributed annually.
2009-2013. Science Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) at Zoo Atlanta (2009-present). The only art teacher on the TAC committee. Responsibilities included finding ways to incorporate Art and Science while keeping the zoo’s programs in mind and providing artwork for special events at Zoo Atlanta.
2007-2012. Start Here! Creator and facilitator of an after-school and during-school socialization program for students with disabilities. The program focused on art, sensory integration, and communication, and the goals for this initiative were as follows: Heightened self esteem, increased number of friends, ability to self-express verbally and artistically, interest in school, comfort in school surroundings, and the knowledge that there are advocates in the school for everyone.
2005-2006. Representative, Graduate Student Association, Miami University. Chosen by the school of Fine Arts to represent all Fine Arts graduate students at monthly GSA meetings. GSA is responsible for travel funding and a guest lecture series as well as health insurance reforms for graduate students.
2003-2005. Co-President, National Art Education Association (NAEA), Miami Chapter. Reestablished the club’s presence on campus. Introduced the Annual Art Auction and co-chaired the first two auctions raising more than $3,000 each.
2004-2005. Empty Bowls (Miami University, 2004; Harrison High School, Winter 2005). Participated in making bowls at Miami University for the Empty Bowls project (a fundraiser that aids in the fight against hunger). Initiated and coordinated the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Harrison High School bringing students, staff, and community together to work toward a common goal raising over $1,500.