September 22nd, 2011
Governor Bentley called April 27 Alabama’s “Katrina Moment.”
On Friday, September 30, the Alabama Poverty Project’s Lifetime of Learning Summit will examine what we can learn from the Gulf Coast’s Katrina experience. The event will be held at the University of Montevallo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We are thrilled to have Dr. Marybeth Lima, professor of biological and agricultural engineering and director of the Center for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership at Louisiana State University join us as our luncheon keynote speaker. She is a nationally recognized service-learning practitioner who was affected by Katrina personally and professionally.
Marybeth’s experiences over the last six years have reinvigorated her commitment to engage students, faculty and community partners to address the vast differences in race, class and life that Katrina exposed.
Dr. Mary Alice Morgan, the senior vice provost for service-learning at Mercer University, will kick off the day’s events by reflecting on her experiences in a faith-based institution which has embedded community engagement in all aspects of the university, including service-learning, volunteering and university-community partnerships. She will also discuss scholarship and publication opportunities for service-learning practitioners.
We also will learn from Mobile’s disaster experiences with a panel discussion featuring that community’s commitment to investing in its public schools in order to build community resilience. Dr. George Sims, provost of Spring Hill College, Mark Berte, director of community engagement for the Mobile Area Education Foundation, and Gigi Armbrecht, manager of regional and external affairs for AT&T, will share their work bringing together higher education, community engagement, and business support to improve K-12 education.
And last but not least, we will have breakout sessions featuring best practices from APP’s Higher Education Alliance.
This is a packed day full of professional development opportunities for college and university students, staff and faculty; faith leaders; and nonprofit partners. CEUs are available. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack will be provided.
Register by Friday, September 23, before the prices go up!