ENV 493 Environmental Science Seminar

“One of the most significant things I learned about non-profits is that they do a great deal of good for the community – sometimes with little funds and resources. I feel as though non-profits have the power to make real differences in communities because they are more relatable than large corporations. I am glad we had the opportunity to provide funds to a deserving non-profit organization.” - ENV 493 student on relating to non-profits
 
“This semester I have learned how non-profits do such an incredible job at giving back to the community, and it honestly feels like only a small part of the community actually knows they are there! I want to help broadcast and advertise for these wonderful non-profits, in order to help them by bringing more awareness, but also to help a bigger majority of the communities around them by showing them the great experiences they could be having by interacting with our non-profits.” - ENV 493 student on relating to non-profits
 
“Something I learned about the philanthropy process is that what goes around comes around. By providing resources and funding to non-profits, we are giving back to communities as well as the environment.” - ENV 493 student on relating to philanthropy and the MSPP
 
“The thing I most liked about the Mayerson Project experience was having the opportunity to actually work with a community partner. Having the chance to work with these organizations really opened my eyes to some of their great work, while also giving me the opportunity to contribute to their organization.” - ENV 493 student on relating to philanthropy and the MSPP
 
“I like how the Mayerson project makes you feel like a part of the community.” - ENV 493 student on relating to philanthropy and the MSPP
 
"I enjoyed the way that we got to work closely with the non-profits participating in the MSPP. I feel that it is important for students to experience first-hand the kind of work that non-profits do. This experience only made me want to volunteer and offer my assistance more to non-profits, and I expect that it will do the same for others in the future.” - ENV 493 student on relating to philanthropy and the MSPP
 
“Getting to work with Imago, I was able to feel like I was a part of that wave of good for the community, and like I was helping give back as well. It was a very rewarding feeling.” - ENV 493 student about awardee

Remarks from Chris Clements, Imago Executive Director:

People often ask me what my favorite part of my job is, and truthfully, it's hard to pick one part, there are so many rewarding things about the work that we do. If I were forced to pick though, I would say that my favorite part is working in collaboration with other great people to get things done. I feel honored to be among collaborators who show such talent, generosity, wisdom, humor, resilience, ingenuity, passion and spirit. It elevates Imago's work and it inspires me. This collaboration between Dr. H at NKU, our wonderful NKU student team, the class, and now our generous funders is another instance of such grace. I am grateful to be here for it.
 
Imago will use this gift to continue our development of projects to bring nature to our Price Hill neighbors. As is typical of many low-income communities, access to nature is limited - but it doesn't have to be. With these funds we will design programs, opportunities, and experiences that will bring the wonderful benefits of nature to our Price Hill community. This funding will sync perfectly with the work that our NKU student team is developing for class. We are grateful for the generous funding and for the opportunity to "work" with such amazing people.

Professor Hopfenpserger: We did most things online, which is new for this course. The course was online synchronous and we used breakout rooms in Zoom for student teams to meet. Community partners also joined us most weeks online and participated with teams in the breakout rooms. We shared all documents with community partners via NKU's Microsoft OneDrive. Presentations were all online with Zoom and we recorded when some could not attend. Students could not car pool to field sites and had to stay distanced during any outdoor data collection or on-site work.

I think we did our best being online and it worked out ok. On my own student reflection assignment, many students said that they loved the project and would advise the instructor to do it again, but many also said that they wished there was more of an in-person component - especially with students and community partners.