National Outreach Scholarship Conference to Include UA Delegation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama will be represented by a cross-section of faculty, staff and students at the 10th annual National Outreach Scholarship Conference Sept. 28-30 at The University of Georgia in Athens.

“Our presence at this important conference has been growing each year since we became a member of the partnership in 2007 as its first non-land grant member,” said Dr. Samory T. Pruitt, UA vice president for community affairs. “This year will be our largest delegation as we look forward to bringing the conference to the University in 2012.”

The purpose of the conference is to advance engagement scholarship worldwide, Pruitt said. Engagement scholarship combines faculty and students, curriculum, research and outreach with community partners to achieve lasting improvements both locally and globally.

The annual conference showcases advancements through presentations of the year’s most successful projects and allows universities around the nation to examine their civic responsibilities.

The UA attendees will include faculty and staff, students and community partners who will present research, moderate sessions, introduce speakers and lead panel discussions, Pruitt said. “We are especially pleased at the broad disciplinary representation we will have.”

Dr. Edward Mullins, director of community research and communication at the Center for Community-Based Partnerships, is UA’s representative on the implementation committee. “The conference will focus on four themes: institutional incentives for engagement scholarship; creating partnerships with communities; stressing evidence-based practices, research, teaching and leadership in these partnerships; and connecting student scholarship to work in the community,” Mullins said.

Pruitt is one of nine members of the NOSC steering committee, which sets policy and provides leadership. “The invitation for UA to join in 2007 was a big step forward for us,” Pruitt said. “I’m proud that the University of Alabama is a leader in national engagement scholarship.”

UA faculty, staff and students who will be attending the conference include:

Wellon Bridgers, coordinator, University Fellows Experience in Honors College

Jackie Brodsky, doctoral student, College of Communication and Information Sciences

Carolyn Dahl, dean, College of Continuing Studies

George Daniels, associate professor, journalism

Bill Evans, director, Institute for Communication and Information Research

David Ford, clinical professor, management and marketing

Janet Griffith, assistant provost for communication

Karl Hamner, director of scholarly affairs, Capstone College of Nursing

Beverly Hawk, director, Crossroads Community Center

Daniel Hollander, CCBP intern

Lisa Hooper, assistant professor, counselor education

Rick Houser, head, educational studies in psychology

Andrea Mabry, CCBP intern

Brice Miller, assistant director, Crossroads Community Center

Jacqueline Morgan, associate dean and director, Honors College

Ed Mullins, director, CCBP community research and communication

Heather Pleasants, director, CCBP community education

Samory Pruitt, vice president, community affairs

Becky Reamey, coordinator, Blackburn Institute

Tiarney Ritchwood, emerging engagement scholar

Cassandra Simon, associate professor, social work

Christopher H. Spencer, director, CCBP community development

Joyce Stallworth, senior associate dean, College of Education

Tommie Syx, coordinator, Alabama REAL

Jessica Averitt Taylor, graduate student, Social Work, and CCBP graduate assistant

Annette Watters, associate director, Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute

Muriel Wells, doctoral student, C&IS

Tari Williams, director of public interest in the School of Law

Michael Wynn, Creative Campus intern