December 30, 2008
Bryant students bring classroom learning into the community
Management 200 course allows students to apply textbook theories while volunteering with local nonprofit organizations.
Part of the goal of the Management 200 (Management Principles and Practices) service learning project is to show students the positive influence their work can have on the community. Just speak to the students who were recognized as having the top project at the fall semester Service Learning Fair, and it is clear this objective was accomplished.
“This experience has opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist in nonprofit organizations,” says Danene Montella ’10 (North Kingston, RI). She was part of a group in Assistant Professor of Management Eileen Kwesiga’s class that included Alison Boucher ’11 (Lawrence, MA), April De Jesus ’11 (Trumbull, CT), Ben Dionne ’11 (Hudson, NH), Katie Logan ’10 (Worcester, MA), and Jess Mulvihill ’11 (Worcester, MA). They were recognized for their work with the Providence Boys and Girls Club.
The group helped raise more than $97,000 by assisting with the “Underwriting Party” and “Kid’s 1st Night,” two main fundraisers hosted by the Boys and Girls Club.
“I realize now that it is more significant to be happy in what you are doing for a career rather than just looking to make a profit,” says Montella. “Feeling good about what you do is extremely important.”
“It was gratifying to know that through our efforts we made a difference in the lives of underprivileged children,” says Logan.
Adds Boucher, “We saw firsthand the impact that we had on the boys and girls, which was truly a remarkable feeling.”
Priceless opportunity
The project also gave students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in an actual organization. “The experience that the Management 200 course provides is priceless,” says De Jesus. “It allowed us to utilize what we have been learning in the classroom.”
(L-R) Katie Logan ’10 (Worcester, MA), Jess Mulvihill ’11 (Worcester, MA), April De Jesus ’11 (Trumbull, CT), Danene Montella ’10 (North Kingston, RI), Alison Boucher ’11 (Lawrence, MA), and Ben Dionne ’11 (Hudson, NH).
“I learned the class material, and, more importantly, how to work in the real world,” says Mulvihill.
In addition to the personal satisfaction of making a difference, each student in the winning group had three points added to their final grade average. On behalf of the winning students, $125 was donated to the Boys and Girls Club by McGraw-Hill, who sponsored the Service Learning Fair.
Passion to help
The team of Evan Eininger ’11 (Old Tappan, NJ), Patrick Helmas ’11 (Norwood, MA), Kim McHugh ’11 (West Dennis, MA), Martin Moss ’11 (Auburn, MA), and Melanie Unwin ’11 (Rutland, VT) from Management Lecturer John Poirier’s class came in second for their work with the CVS Highlander Charter School. They earned two points on their final average, and $100 was donated to the charter school.
The group worked with students in grades six through eight to teach them how to write grant letters. The youngsters have been communicating with students at the Professional Secretarial Academy in Ghana, and their goal is to raise money to buy computers for the school.
(L-R) Melanie Unwin ’11 (Rutland, VT), Kim McHugh ’11 (West Dennis, MA), Martin Moss ’11 (Auburn, MA), Patrick Helmas ’11 (Norwood, MA), and Evan Eininger ’11 (Old Tappan, NJ).
“The charter school was a great organization to work with,” says McHugh. “The children were very excited to learn and to help. This was not a course requirement for these kids; they are just young people willing to help others. It was a privilege to spend time with them knowing that this was something they wanted to do.”
“We learned how worthwhile it could be to give back to the community and help out people who might not be as fortunate as we are,” says Eininger. “We hope that in the end the students will reach their fundraising goals.”
(To learn more, view a WJAR Channel 10 feature on the project.)
Changing lives
The team of Andrew Gilbert ’10 (New Gloucester, ME), Tiana Haraguchi ’10 (North Branford, CT), Emily Holland ’10 (Billerica, MA), Matthew Lotfey ’10 (Falmouth, ME), Catherine Shaw ’11 (Woonsocket, RI), and Eric Slater ’10 (Lindenhurst, NY) in Management Lecturer Glenn Jefferson’s class captured third place for their work with Connecting for Children and Families. They earned one point on their final average, and $75 was donated to the organization.
The Bryant students worked with the nonprofit’s after-school enrichment programs, where they tutored and organized recreational activities for elementary and middle school students.
(L-R) Andrew Gilbert ’10 (New Gloucester, ME), Tiana Haraguchi ’10 (North Branford, CT), Catherine Shaw ’11 (Woonsocket, RI), Management Lecturer Glenn Jefferson, Eric Slater ’10 (Lindenhurst, NY), Emily Holland ’10 (Billerica, MA), Matthew Lotfey ’10 (Falmouth, ME).
“I learned that a little help can go a long way,” says Haraguchi. “Sometimes all children need is a push in the right direction. It feels good knowing that we may have influenced their lives and decisions about furthering their education.”
Lotfey says he looks forward to staying in touch with the students, and he hosted one of the students at a Bryant basketball game. “It is not necessarily feasible to have an impact on each and every child, but if you do all that you can, you will feel successful,” he says.
Adds Slater, “Working with a nonprofit organization was an excellent experience. The work you perform truly impacts the lives of others.”
The Rhode Island Campus Compact is currently looking for proposals from students who would like to present their work at the first Statewide Student Service Summit to be held on February 20. The conference will focus on community engagement, service, and service learning. (Learn more about the call for proposals, which must be submitted by January 15, or register to attend the conference.
Contact Colleen Butterfield at X 20564. with any questions.
