Students learn to be socially responsible

Management 200 service learning projects provide a forum for students to practice management principles and help others at the same time.

Jesse Bischoff ’11 (Meriden, CT) still has some time to decide exactly what career path he would like to pursue. After taking Management 200 (Management Principles and Practices) and participating in a semester-long service learning project, his job prospects are becoming clearer.

“I am seriously considering working for a nonprofit organization or possibly starting one of my own,” says Bischoff, a double concentrator in management and marketing. His revelation came after a semester in which he was part of a group that worked with a Kenyan nonprofit to raise awareness of issues affecting the locals.

Throughout the semester, the group raised nearly $2,500, collected clothes, and created a new Web site for Cana Family Life Ministries. Beyond providing their support half a world away, the team started making plans for a volunteer trip to Nairobi, Kenya, which will take place next June. The students also gained experience delegating tasks, leading a group, communicating effectively, creating contingency plans, and working together. (Learn more about Cana Family Life Ministries.)

(L-R) Ian Taylor ’11 (Jamestown, RI), Priya Patel ’11 (Northampton, MA), Brian Chapdelaine ’11 (Springfield, MA), Kelsey Hines ’11 (Taunton, MA), an Todd Degnan ’11 (Mechanicville, NY) worked with Cana Family Life Ministries throughout the semester.

“This was an amazing opportunity because we knew that everything we did directly helped the organization and was making a difference in the lives of people who desperately need it,” says Bischoff.

The work of Bischoff and his team helped them earn honors as a co-winner of the semi-annual Service Learning Fair that showcased the top projects out of more than 70 that took place during the spring semester. The other team members included: Brian Chapdelaine ’11 (Springfield, MA), Todd Degnan ’11 (Mechanicville, NY), Kelsey Hines ’11 (Taunton, MA), Priya Patel ’11 (Northampton, MA), and Ian Taylor ’11 (Jamestown, RI).

“I learned the value of working with a nonprofit organization and realized that I can make a difference,” Bischoff continues. “I feel like I could write a book about all the things I learned through this experience.”

Developing a global awareness

In today’s global economy, Eileen Kwesiga, assistant professor of management and Bischoff’s Management 200 professor, believes it is essential for her students to understand issues on a worldwide scale.

“We are global citizens,” says Kwesiga, whose students also worked with an orphanage in Kenya and a women’s Shelter in Uganda. “My goal was to create awareness and expose students to other opportunities outside of the developed world.”

Degnan says his work with Cana Family Life played a role in his decision to take part in a volunteer trip to Peru that took place at the beginning of the summer break.

“The Management 200 project really opened my eyes to how difficult others’ situations can be,” he says. “I felt very motivated to help.”

“This experience was definitely enlightening,” adds Hines, who is working to create a campus club to help students identify international service learning opportunities. “I learned that you become a better person by helping others.”

‘Power of One’

Sharing the top honors at the Service Learning Fair was a group that worked with Stoves for Darfur, a nonprofit organization that raises money to purchase fuel-efficient stoves for women and children in war-torn Darfur.

“Working with a nonprofit truly opens your eyes to the world around you,” says Jillian Squillante ’11 (Sayville, NY).

The group, "3 for Darfur," which also included Marissa Bono ’11 (Derry, NH) and Sarah Donovan ’11 (Storrs, CT), was one of the smallest groups in the 11 Management 200 classes. Still, they raised over $2,000 and helped 392 families – each stove that costs $30 can be shared by up to seven families – by adopting the theme, “Power of One.” This mindset was developed by the 17-year-old founder of Stoves for Darfur, Spencer Brodsky, who visited campus to share his story. (Learn more about Stoves for Darfur.)

“We were all inspired by his encouraging words and achievements,” says Bono. “We truly experienced the ‘Power of One.’ ”

Lynda St. Clair, associate professor of management who taught the students in the Stoves for Darfur group, says the class helps students go beyond the awareness stage to problem solving.

(L-R) Marissa Bono ’11 (Derry, NH), Stoves for Darfur founder Spence Brodsky, Sarah Donovan ’11 (Storrs, CT), and Jillian Squillante ’11 (Sayville, NY) after Brodsky's speech on campus.

“Throughout the project,” says St. Clair, “students needed to apply their creativity and critical thinking skills to address problems in the community.”

She has been impressed with the work of the students. “Bryant students are creative, energetic, passionate, and conscientious, which has been reflected in the work that they have completed for their organizations,” she says. “Most students really develop a strong connection with their service organization and become passionate supporters of its mission.”

Brodsky was most impressed by the group's "Suites for Stoves" campaign that encouraged the six students in a residence hall suite to each donate $5 to raise enough money to buy one stove. He has shared the idea with others throughout the country.

"The members of '3 for Darfur' motivated others to realize they, too, had the ability to take action and make a difference," says Brodsky, whose organization recently passed $130,000 raised. "They served as a role model for many."

Change makers

James Segovis, executive in residence in the management department, taught two sections of Management 200 this spring, including the group that captured third place in the fair. He says the success of the service learning projects is a byproduct of a generational paradigm shift in which the bottom line is not the main objective.

“For them, it is not about making money, it’s about giving back,” says Segovis.

Liz Marsis, operations manager at the George Wiley Center, a Pawtucket, RI-based grassroots nonprofit organization that advocates for social change, worked with Segovis' students, who earned third place. They helped organize the volunteer database, researched new software options for tracking donations and contacting volunteers, and procured a laptop. Recently the organization used funds from a grant to purchase software recommended by the Bryant students.

"The George Wiley Center's mission was greatly enhanced by the students' contribution," says Marsis. "After this experience, we would welcome working with Bryant students any time."

Sandra Enos, associate professor of sociology, agrees. In an illustration of Bryant’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, she has served as a judge for the Service Learning Fair and helps students identify similar service learning opportunities in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“In our classes, we help students learn how to be change makers,” says Enos. “Through in-class instruction and service learning experiences, they are introduced to innovative social entrepreneurship practices, which are not only applicable here in the United States but also globally.”

Read about the Management 200 fall semester service learning projects.