Outreach with IVH recognized as NISOD ‘best practice’
Thursday / September 29, 2016
MCC student, Sarah Ghee (left) instructing a resident at the Iowa Veteran’s Home last April.
Two Marshalltown Community College faculty members were recognized in the NISODirect Sept. 22 newsletter for a project considered by NISOD to be a “best practice.” Brenda Heitmeyer and Lois Enger took their ‘Technology in the Classroom’ students last spring to visit the Iowa Veterans Home and teach IVH residents basic computer skills.
NISOD, the National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development, is a consortium of community and junior colleges committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership.
Dr. Robin Lilienthal, MCC Provost, said being recognized by NISOD is a noteworthy accomplishment. “Brenda and Lois are the kinds of instructors every college administrator loves to have on staff and every student loves to have in the classroom. Their exemplary service learning project with the Veterans Home is one of many examples where these two ladies have gone ‘above and beyond’ to impact our students and our community. They’re an inspiration!”
Service Learning has always been an integral component of a student’s education at Marshalltown Community College. Last April marked the fifth time that Heitmeyer and Enger have done this outreach project with MCC students at the Veterans Home. Students helped the residents set up personal email accounts and Facebook accounts. “It was really neat,” said Heitmeyer. “Some residents were able to get into contact with people they hadn’t seen or heard from in years.”