Service Highlights

As the college seeks ways to distinguish its strengths, we find that our students are increasingly making use of their service learning experiences to guide their professional endeavors.

One example would be Shawna Lausen’s “Same But Different Coloring/Activity Book” that she completed with IndependenceFirst after taking Julia Kirchner’s “Building Communities” course. Ms. Lausen has since been nominated for a Non-Profit Center of Milwaukee Inspire by Example Award by Carol Voss, IndependenceFirst’s Public Relations and Marketing Director:

“Shawna didn’t plan to contribute in the way she did when she started.  She was a student volunteer who helped with filing for a class assignment that required volunteer hours. But, during that time, something changed at her core – she learned she had more to give, liked the mission, people and organization so wanted to contribute more, and share her special gifts – something that she didn’t realize she possessed at that point, but learned through volunteering.  In the end, Shawna spent countless volunteer hours for IndependenceFirst, in the agency office, at MIAD and at home. Her work resulted in the most amazing gift to IndependenceFirst and metro Milwaukee’s kids with and without disabilities.”

-Carol Voss

Another example would be Mark Gage’s Senior Project in which he created two fictional public service announcements for HelpSaveTheArts.com. This campaign urges Milwaukee to, “Stop the Cuts” and “Keep the Process Alive.” Mark has since been honored with a first place prize in the category of “Public Service: TV Campaign” by United Adworkers for this work.