OSU Engages January 2024 Newsletter

Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce several exciting opportunities around engaged scholarship. As you will see below, we are seeking applications for the University Outreach and Engagement Awards and our annual engagement seed grants program. New this year, we have a call for proposals open for the Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship certification.

We look forward to reviewing your proposals and providing support for the exemplary efforts in engaged scholarship occurring on our campus and across the community.

Priority Focus Topics for 2024:
The Office of Outreach and Engagement centers programming around community needs that are identified through engagement with community and university stakeholders. In 2024, our topical areas of focus include: housing affordability and security; central Ohio immigrant and refugee needs; youth violence prevention and STEM. Proposals related to other topics are still eligible for the program of excellence certification and seed grants, but priority will be given to proposals engaging any of the priority topics listed above.

Road Scholars Day Spring 2024:
Our Road Scholars Day will return this semester with a planned daylong bus excursion to the Newark campus and community. Road Scholars Day offers an opportunity to learn about nearby communities and to build relationships with faculty, staff and community partners. We are currently in the planning process for hosting this engagement, which will take place late in the semester. Be on the lookout for more information related to this opportunity later in the semester.

Happy New Year and wishing you all a great start to 2024 and the spring semester!

Sincerely,

Jason Reece
Vice Provost for Urban Research and Community Engagement
Office of Academic Affairs

Faculty Affairs Leadership Podcast: Ryan Schmiesing

In this episode, the Faculty Affairs Leadership Podcast dives into the world of community engagement in higher education with Senior Vice Provost for External Engagement Ryan Schmiesing, uncovering the crucial role that universities play in their communities. Listeners will gain a unique perspective on the far-reaching impact of community-university partnerships.

Call for proposals: Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship

To support and promote high-impact engaged scholarship, the Office of Outreach and Engagement has instituted a process to certify programs of excellence in engaged scholarship. The certification process seeks to identify and certify up to 20 projects annually that demonstrate excellence in community-engaged scholarship and meet the criteria of high-impact engaged scholarship. Applications are due Feb. 28.

Apply now for the University Outreach and Engagement Awards

Ohio State is seeking nominations of programs, scholars and practitioners for the 2024 University Outreach and Engagement Awards, which honor faculty, staff, students and community partners for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

Community Connector Q&A: Kyle Strickland

"One of the most important lessons I've learned is that relationships are everything," said Kyle Strickland, manager of strategic partnerships and community outreach at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. "You have to build genuine relationships with people. It means consistently showing up, listening to others and caring about the people you work with and the communities you work in."

Nominations sought for 2024-25 Ohio State Artist Laureate

The Office of Academic Affairs is seeking nominations for the 2024-25 Ohio State Artist Laureate. The program is designed to help the university achieve one of the main goals of its academic plan: to enhance impact through external engagement. The goal is to bring the arts to underserved communities across the state and to engage with those communities in shared experiences that will, ideally, enrich and inform audience and Laureate alike. Nominations are due Feb. 16.

Submit a proposal for an Engagement Grant

The Office of Outreach and Engagement provides funding to faculty and/or faculty-led teams, and university staff that hold PI status with the annual Engagement Grants program. Grants are awarded at a maximum amount of $15,000 to support development of impact reports for programs, performances or exhibits; development of a public policy document or impact report; development or implementation of a program, performance, exhibition, or initiative based upon previous research, assessment, or community stakeholder/public input; or enhance or expand a program that extends community access to the university, broadly defined. Proposals are due March 4.

Partnerships, collaboration nourish Ohio's food system

By facilitating connections and advancing research, the John Glenn College of Public Affairs supports the work of food advocates and policy interests to improve Ohio's food system for its citizens.

Applications open for the annual OSEP awards

In collaboration with Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), the Office of Academic Affairs has opened a call for grant proposals that align with the university's sustainability goals; align with advancing access, engagement and inclusive excellence goals; or provide research opportunities (in all disciplines) to students who have limited exposure to undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities. Submissions are due March 11. Faculty, staff and students are eligible to apply. Awards range from $10,000 to $50,000.

Opportunities

Engaged Scholars Graduate Student Community of Practice

The Office of Outreach and Engagement is launching a community of practice tailored exclusively for graduate students immersed in engaged scholarship. This community of practice will provide a space for graduate students to share experiences, insights and resources, and to cultivate a supportive, cross-discipline network. In this collaborative environment, we aim to foster a sense of mutual learning and shared growth. The first meeting is Jan. 19.

Community-Engaged/Service-Learning Course Development Grants

The Office of Service-Learning is seeking applications for its Community-Engaged/Service-Learning Course Development Grants program. These grants of up to $4,000 are available to any Ohio State instructor who would like to develop or improve a community-engaged course. This includes courses offered at regional campuses and undergraduate- or graduate-level courses. Applications are due Jan. 21.

Engaged Practitioners Network meeting: Feb. 16

The Engaged Practitioners Network is a space for Ohio State staff members who are working in community outreach and engagement. Our goal is to continue to grow the community of practice for staff. We hope to amplify collaborations, share best practices and increase professional development opportunities. The network's next meeting is Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

Applications open for the Schweitzer Fellows Program

The application for the 2024-25 cohort of Columbus-Athens Albert Schweitzer Fellows is now open. The Schweitzer Fellows program supports and trains emerging health-focused graduate and professional students in creating and carrying out service projects to address unmet community needs. Applications are due Feb. 5.

Coming soon: "Spark" grants for arts engagement

"Spark" grants will provide seed funding that will enable arts-driven innovation to flourish across the state, including in areas served by our regional campuses. As such, the "Spark" competition will be open to students, staff and faculty in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark and Columbus. Each year, three or four community-engaged projects will be funded. If you have questions, please contact Vice Provost for the Arts Lisa Florman at florman.4@osu.edu.

Cunningham Commitment to Service Award nominations sought

The Association of Staff and Faculty Women's Dr. Patricia Cunningham II Commitment to Service Award recognizes a university employee who impacts the community through dedicated service. The nomination deadline is March 1.

2024 CFAES Farm Bill Summit

The Farm Bill, a substantial legislative package passed by the federal government every few years, impacts how funds are allocated for various crucial aspects of agriculture, nutrition, conservation efforts, natural resource protection and support systems across the nation. To delve deeper into this vital legislation and its implications, attend the 2024 Farm Bill Summit on Feb. 23 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Fawcett Center, hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

Make connections with the Outreach and Engagement listserv

Did you know you can connect with colleagues through the Outreach and Engagement listserv? You can share your work and events, look for partnerships and much more by emailing the list at outreach@lists.osu.edu.

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