Recognized for developing new program at UWS

By Kasha Stoll

For Superior native Jenice Meyer, a simple goal led to a surprise career: the opportunity to develop a campusdefining learning program at the University of WisconsinSuperior, and a prestigious award that makes her laugh in stunned disbelief.

Meyer is the community engagement and strategic partnership senior officer for UWS. She serves as a link between the campus and the community, finding ways for students to use their classroom studies to solve a need in local businesses and organizations.

In June, Meyer became the first UWS staff member to receive the Regents Academic Staff Excellence Award. This annual award recognizes two academic staff members out of more than 36,000 university employees for their dedicated work, vital services and outstanding contributions to their campus.

“I’m still kind of stunned,” Meyer said. “It is such an honor. I feel very humbled just to receive this award.”

Meyer said she was nominated by the university chancellor, several colleagues and about 10 community partners, including people at the Chamber of Commerce, the mayor’s office, the city of Superior and the School District of Superior.

“I knew I was being nominated, but I never really thought it would happen,” Meyer said. “I feel that community engagement and service learning is such a distinguishing feature of our campus. This is really an award for the campus, and the icing on the cake is that it came in my name.”

Meyer developed the Academic Service-Learning program at the university in 2009. AS-L enables students to use what they learn in a classroom to provide practical assistance and create tangible results for local businesses and organizations.

The program has been wildly successful. Meyer has helped develop more than 560 partnerships between the university and area businesses, nonprofits, schools and government offices. Students from 26 disciplines across 12 academic departments at the university have participated in almost 11,700 community-based learning projects. They have spent almost 215,000 hours performing work valued at $4.2 million.

Meyer laughed in amazement when she heard those numbers read out loud.

“The numbers are impressive,” she said. “This is a distinguishing feature of our campus. It’s a point of pride for what we do in almost all of the disciplines and departments on our campus.”

A few years ago, an art teacher at UWS wanted to modify her class and enable her students to provide something that was needed in the community. Meyer approached the director of a St. Luke’s clinic in Superior to see if the clinic would be interested in partnering with the university for an AS-L experience. The answer was a definite “yes.”

“We all sat down and agreed upon what was needed,” Meyer said. “The students listened and mocked up some examples and followed up with the tangible product.”

The students created almost 60 pieces of artwork for the clinic’s waiting room. Meyer said the art helps create “more of a healing atmosphere within the clinic.”

Students in other university departments have created websites and feasibility studies for nonprofits, made recommendations for workplace wellness programs for small businesses, and mentored children in outreach programs.

“We live in a really great community that is really open to students,” Meyer said. “And we have seen some of the same partners for 11 years. That’s because they actually get something out of (the program). It helps their organization.”

While Meyer has had a profound impact on the university and the Superior community, her original career plan was much simpler.

“I have always wanted to work with and help others,” Meyer said. “I know it is cliché, but I want to leave this world better in some way than it was when I entered. I wondered, ‘What is my part in that? Do I help individuals or the community?’”

Meyer decided on a career in counseling. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and psychology, and a master’s degree in community counseling with a higher education emphasis from UWS. While she was attending the university, Meyer worked in the Office of Civil Engagement. That was when she discovered a way to help more people and have a broader impact on the community.

“I found out there was a community engagement field,” Meyer said. “I have been doing it now for almost 15 years. I work with faculty members to help them enhance their classes, and to think of more creative and innovative ways about how they could deliver their curriculum.”

Change doesn’t always come easy, though. When Meyer joined the staff at UWS and formed the AS-L program, she needed to convince instructors that experiential learning opportunities in the community would provide invaluable lessons to students.

“Students have an enhanced sense of responsibility when they are working with a partner,” Meyer said. “It is different when you are writing a paper for a professor versus really doing something that is needed by a professional and by someone within your community.”

AS-L experiences help students better understand what they are learning in the classroom. The experiences also help students expand their network, build a portfolio, enhance their resume and build confidence.

Meyer said the university and community partners supported her vision. However, she still had an uphill climb.

“I had a mentor early on who told me you need perseverance, persistence and patience,” Meyer said. “I also added in positivity. Those are the four things that I have really relied on.

“At times progress moved slower than I wanted,” she continued, “but I just kept persisting and maintaining a positive attitude. I think when you are passionate about something and truly care about it, you just persevere and keep pushing.”

Meyer said her goal now is to create a healthier, happier and more vibrant community.

“This is where I went to school, where I live and where I raise my children,” she said. “I think these projects and this work really helps a lot of people in a lot of ways, and I am just privileged and honored to be a part of that.” D