April 28, 2016 – The Provost’s Committee on Service-Learning recently honored 22 students with the Academic/Community Transformation (ACT) Award for their efforts connecting academic work and community engagement in transformative ways. Students are nominated for this award by faculty members who teach Civic Engagement or Service-Learning-designated courses. Among the recipients were ECo seniors Ashley McElhinney (Env. Sci) and Ben Green (NRC), both of whom were nominated by Prof. Rick Harper.

“I’m excited to receive a Community Transformation award” said McElhinney, “ it’s been a pleasure contributing, and giving back right here in Amherst.” Ben Green also expressed a similar sentiment: “It’s an honor to be a recipient of an ACT Award. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to apply the things that I have learned in a manner that will benefit my community.”

Carol Soules, associate director of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning and award committee chair, said, “It is a tremendous privilege to receive the faculty members’ nominations and to hear about the incredible work being undertaken by our students that impacts their own learning, the learning of other students and supports the work of our many community partners throughout the Pioneer Valley.” In total, student awardees represented 15 different academic departments throughout the UMass Amherst campus.

 To read more, visit:

http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/students-honored-community-engagement