Rebecca Robinson and James Fitterling named 2014 faculty recipients of the Selkregg Community Engagement & Service Learning Award

The Selkregg Community Engagement & Learning Award encourages, rewards and inspires UAA faculty to creatively engage their students in learning and research that benefits the students and the community at large. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the award.

Rebecca Robinson, psychology Partner: Refugee and Immigration Services Program (RAIS), Catholic Social Services

Professor Robinson continues a longstanding partnership with RAIS that began while she was a graduate student in clinical-community psychology. For the next year, she proposes to complete a local needs assessment for the refugee populations in Anchorage by gathering qualitative data from refugees and community organizations that serve refugees. A PhotoVoice project with refugees, combining photography with grassroots social action, will provide insight into how they conceptualize their circumstances and help solve problems they face.

James Fitterling, psychology Partners: Homeward Bound, Anchorage Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity Anchorage, First Covenant Church of Anchorage

Professor Fitterling designed a partnership that will bring organizations and volunteer homeless individuals together to build adequate housing for Anchorage families unable to obtain conventional house financing. His past experience as chief of a chemical dependence treatment program in Mississippi demonstrated the therapeutic rationale for providing people with opportunities to engage in productive activities. He will replicate a similar collaboration in Anchorage, including qualitative research and a PhotoVoice project.

Congratulations to both recipients! For more information about the Selkregg Award, please visit www.uaa.alaska.edu/engage.

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