September 22, 2008
For Immediate Release
For an Interview:
Alexis Palmer
(801) 863-8681
Utah Valley University is hosting an International Service-Learning Conference Oct. 2-3. The conference is for campus teams and individuals involved in or interested in international service-learning.
The 150 expected participants will engage in a variety of workshops, panel discussions, poster presentations, plenary sessions and other activities that will teach them about the best practices of international service-learning. Additionally, participants will have an opportunity to develop a campus plan for international service-learning programs and academic courses.
“I hope individuals will walk away with a plan that they can implement when they return to their campus that will create effective and meaningful international service-learning experiences,” said Alexis Palmer, director of UVU Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
This is the first year the International Service-Learning Conference is at UVU, it has previously been held at IUPUI-Indianapolis and Elon University in North Carolina. The conference is in collaboration with UVU Academic Service-Learning, International Center, Utah Campus Compact and the International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership (IPSL).
“The focus is to promote international service-learning and provide guidelines and ideas on how to organize, facilitate and sustain these opportunities for students and faculty,” said Grant Skabelund, director of UVU International Study Programs. “We hope participants will be energized to create their own international service-learning opportunities and that those opportunities will be sustainable, productive and safe.”
The keynote speaker of the event is Margaret “Peggy” D. Pusch, chair of the board of trustees of IPSL. She will be speaking Oct. 3 at 8:30 a.m. in Centre Stage in the Sorensen Center. Palmer said Pusch is a dynamic speaker who has a wealth of information and experience regarding international issues when working with students in higher education.
Registration will close Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. The regular registration fee is $200 and includes all conference materials and three meals. UVU faculty, staff and student registration is $100.
For a schedule of events and to register, visit www.uvu.edu/volunteer.
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College Marketing Contact:
Kim Chapman
(801) 494-7409
Written by:
Britnee Nguyen
(801) 863-8504