In December, Stevenson University Online held a research symposium for Community-Based Education and Leadership students completing their capstone course.
As part of the capstone, students identify social change initiatives and develop reflective practice with an aim of improving community organizations. Dr. Lisa Moyer, Program Coordinator, describes the symposium as, “the culmination of an intensive final semester of participatory action research that the students plan and implement, based on the needs of their community. Throughout the semester, students conduct needs assessments, create an action plan, implement their research, collect and analyze data, revise their action plans based on the data, etc. The students then write a comprehensive research paper, create a research poster, and present their work at the research symposium.”
Topics for this year’s presentation included “Children’s Ministry: Improving Families First Experience,” “How has Gentrification Affected the Families that GOOD-Projects Serves?,” and “Participatory Culture: Its Impact on Young Adult Engagement with Careers in Human Services.”
Dr. Moyer says of the symposium, “I am extremely proud of these students not only for all of their research, but for the real difference they are making in their communities through their work on these very important projects.”
Stevenson University’s accredited online Master’s in Community-Based Education and Leadership degree is designed to meet the growing demand for highly-qualified professionals to teach, lead, and manage in non-formal and informal education settings. Practicing professionals will gain the knowledge and skills to become effective educators and change leaders in their organizations. The Community-Based Education and Leadership program is offered online in 8-week sessions, providing flexibility for working professionals who want to enhance their existing skills within their field.