Division of Outreach and Engagement
University of Southern Indiana
Fall 2011 • Issue Three Volume Three
Center for Education Services and Partnerships: Delivering programs to P-16 education The Center for Education Services and Partnerships in USI’s Division of Outreach and Engagement provides a variety of public programs, including the College Achievement Program (CAP), summer camps, and STEM initiatives for schools, parents, and children in P-16 education. Open to motivated juniors and seniors at 25 partner high schools throughout Indiana, CAP provides an opportunity for students to earn dual high school/college credit in selected courses offered in the high schools. Instructed by master high school instructors who are trained in special workshops by USI faculty, each CAP course follows the same curriculum and academic standards as the comparable on-campus course. The program provides participating students an intellectual challenge, an opportunity to test ability to complete work at the college level, reduces the duplication of curriculum, and eases the transition from high school to college. Additional information, including participating schools, cost, and enrollment criteria is available at www.usi.edu/cap. Each summer, the Center for Education Services and Partnerships offers Kindergarten Camp to children entering or leaving Kindergarten, Summer Enrichment Camp for children ages seven to 12, and Super Summer enrichment classes for children ages Pre-K4 through 14. Year-round child care for children ages two to six of USI students, faculty, and staff is also available on campus at the Children’s Learning Center. Care is available
The CAP program at Reitz High School continues to expand. We now offer dual credit in at least 18 courses. Students gain a better understanding of college-level work and feel better prepared to enter creditbearing courses in their major areas of study. As a teacher, I feel better prepared to help my students enjoy success in college.” — Paula Harmon English Teacher F. J. Reitz High School
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on a full-day, half-day, and hourly basis and children from the community are welcome to enroll when space is available. Each of these high-quality programs offers an environment that encourages children to develop their capabilities and interests at their own pace and individual needs while providing positive encouragement for continued growth. The Center for Education Services and Partnerships also assists with several University Southwest Indiana science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (SwISTEM) Resource Center initiatives. Goals of SwISTEM include building a science and mathematicsliterate workforce that provides an economic advantage, delivering a continuous supply of highly trained technologists to meet the demands of economic growth, maintaining supportive resources that will benefit Indiana’s K-12 schools and encourage involvement of a coalition of leaders from business, higher education, scientific institutions, and K-12 education.
Evansville ARC has worked with the Center for Education Services and Partnerships for nearly 20 years. With their help, we have been able to convert our therapeutic daycare into a state-licensed and inclusive childcare facility that serves children with and without disabilities. As a result, our organization has continued to be one of the most progressive nonprofit organizations in the community in the areas of program development, service delivery, board recruitment and development, and employee engagement.” — Deidra Conner President Evansville ARC Current SwISTEM initiatives include Girls Only (GO) STEM! and summer workshops for area elementary, middle, and high school teachers focused on STEM disciplines. Open to girls entering their sophomore or junior year of high school, GO STEM! is a residential summer camp experience that helps female students overcome barriers and stereotypes
The Center for Education Services and Partnerships staff includes: left to to right, Ginger Ramsden, director; Jaclyn Dumond, manager of school partnerships; Amanda Wheaton-Collins, manager of the Children’s Learning Center; Kathy Hayden, summer enrichment camp supervisor; and Dana Drury, senior program assistant.
faced while preparing for and pursing STEMrelated careers. The program, sponsored by the Pott College of Science and Engineering, is facilitated by female faculty and involves female college students majoring in STEM disciplines as mentors, allowing them to work with high school students and college faculty. Several noncredit courses aimed at kids, parents, and teachers are also organized through the Center for Education Services and Partnerships. Recent offerings have included the Saturday and Summer Art Workshop, Getting Ready for the SAT Verbal and Math exams, Pictures and Presentations for the Classroom Teacher, Study Skills: The HomeTo-School Connection, and Things to do With Your Toddlers and Two’s. For more information on programs and services available from the Center for Education Services and Partnerships call 812/228-5022 or visit www.usi.edu/extserv/ cesp/.