Lauren Pass (MPH in Community & Behavioral Health) and Joy Woods (MPH in Policy) have been selected to take part in the 2017 Obermann Graduate Institute on Engagement and the Academy, which meets Jan. 9-13.

Now in its eleventh year, the Graduate Institute offers a competitively selected group of UI graduate students an opportunity to explore how civic engagement can enhance teaching, research, and creative work. It is also a rare opportunity for students to share ideas and experiences with peers they would not otherwise meet. This year’s Institute is co-directed by Jennifer Kayle (Dance, CLAS) and Tricia Zebrowski (Communication Sciences & Disorders, CLAS), with assistance from Graduate Senior Fellows Diane Williams (American Studies and GWSS, CLAS) and  Heidi Renée Aijala (English, CLAS).

A visit to the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and an opportunity to propose projects to the leaders of that site will anchor the week.

“We feel very fortunate to be partnering with Johnson County and Shanti Sellz, local food and planning specialist, for a second year,” says Jennifer New, associate director of the Obermann Center. “They are in the early stages of developing this site and there are so many directions that students could imagine and eventually undertake projects with community partners. It’s a special opportunity to put one’s ideas into actions quickly.”

For the first time ever, Obermann Graduate Fellows, including Fellows from previous Institute classes who are current UI students, will have an opportunity to apply for grants from the Office of Outreach and Engagement that will support collaborative projects sited at the Poor Farm.

See the full list of 2017 Fellows