Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowships Projects: 2008-09

Building Leadership Capacity in the Latino Community through Grassroots Organizing
Student: Molly M. Reddy; Faculty Mentor: Professor Lynet Uttal, Department of Human Development and Family Studies; Community Partner: Grassroots Leadership College – Madison, WI.
By conducting a formative evaluation of its programming and curriculum and providing El Programa de Liderazgo grassroots organizing training, this project will support the Grassroots Leadership College (GLC) in strengthening its Spanish language programming and enable Latino leaders to more effectively meet the needs of their community.  This will be accomplished by reviewing program materials and conducting in-depth interviews with past program participants, organizers, facilitators, and Latino community leaders.  A final report including a literature review of leadership models used in Latin America and recommendations based on research findings will be provided to GLC.

 Job Options Development: Creating Economic Security for Women and Families
Student: Jennifer L. Nilsestuen; Faculty Mentor: Senior Lecturer Loren Kuzuhara, Management and Human Resources Department; Community Partner: YMCA Employment and Training Annex – Madison, WI.
This project will develop a system that provides structured, efficient, and consistent career skills training and support for the clientele of the YMCA Employment and Training Annex. By promoting the program to potential local employers, creating training workshops, and compiling a booklet of basic human resources laws and hiring guidelines, YWCA clients will gain increased access to the local job market, allowing them an opportunity to move toward economic self-sufficiency.  The project will enable the YWCA to better serve clients and to operate more efficiently with a small staff.

 The Knowledge Vaccine Project: Connecting HIV/AIDS Research to the World
Student: Anna Moreland; Faculty Mentor: Professor David O’Connor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine; Community Partner: AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) – New York, NY.
By providing a forum for the discussion, dissemination, and sharing of up-to-date and accurate HIV/AIDS information, this project seeks to empower participants with knowledge about current HIV/AIDS issues.  Technologies such as iTunes U and Skype will be used to expand the existing network of advocates, researchers, clinicians, educators, and the general public served by AVAC. Information such as vaccine updates, preventative knowledge, and recent medical developments will provide participants the knowledge they need to better combat HIV/AIDS in their own professional and personal lives. 

Starting Science Young: A Hands-On Experience Utilizing the UW Campus
Student: Megan Tauber; Faculty Mentor: Professor David Nelson, Department of Biochemistry; Community Partner: Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) – Madison, WI.
By collaborating with the University of Wisconsin and two Madison schools in the MSCR program, this project seeks to strengthen elementary students’ science education through a summer class.  The University will be involved in supporting a curriculum that teaches environmental, physical, and life sciences through hands-on experiments, educational speakers, and field trips.  Students’ progress will be tracked and evaluated, to aid with the implementation of future youth science programs.

Targeting Health Disparities on Allied Drive through an Anti-Tobacco Campaign and the use of Photovoice
Students: Jessica A. Connor, Joshua S. Shapiro, Sarah C. Sanchez, Dee Cee Xiong; Faculty Mentor: Professor Byron Crouse, School of Medicine and Public Health; Community Partner: Allied Wellness Center – Madison, WI
This project will address a community-identified need to spread awareness about the individual and community-wide effects of tobacco use through the use of Photovoice, a participatory research tool.  Community members will be provided instruction and equipment to document the effects of tobacco within their neighborhood through the use of photographs, culminating in a presentation at a reception and community meal attended by community members, leaders, and policy makers.  Through the Photovoice methodology, smoking cessation workshops and support groups, community members will be empowered to act as advocates for change within their community.