To promote the goals of VCU’s Quest 2025: Together We Transform, funds have been designated for experienced service-learning faculty to participate in the Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Program. This program is designed to:
The VCU Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Program enrolls faculty members who have experience in teaching service-learning classes to serve as campus leaders in teaching excellence. Fellows collaborate with the VCU service-learning office staff to deepen awareness and knowledge of service-learning pedagogy across VCU’s academic departments. Fellows are appointed for one year with the potential of extending their appointment for one additional year. Second-year fellows must apply and be accepted.
Applications are received each spring, and notifications are made in early May for the following academic year. For additional details on applying, contact Lynn Pelco, Ph.D., at lepelco@vcu.edu.
Visit Grant Applications and Reporting for a full application packet.
VCU service-learning faculty fellows will receive an annual $1,000 stipend for their participation in the Service-Learning Faculty Fellows program. This stipend will be paid as a budget index transfer to the fellow’s department to be used for professional development and/or expenses that support the fellow’s professional work. A stipend of $500 will be paid at mid-year in January and $500 will be paid at end-of-year in July following the fellowship year. Funds awarded in January must be spent by June 15 of the same calendar year. Funds awarded in July must be spent by June 15 of the following calendar year.
All faculty, including tenure-line, term, clinical and adjunct appointments from all academic units at VCU, with at least three semesters of experience using service-learning pedagogy are eligible to apply for the Service-Learning Faculty Fellows program. Applications will be reviewed for the following required and preferred qualifications.
Required qualifications:
Preferred qualifications:
Due on or before May 1 of the fellowship year: Each fellow is required to provide the VCU service-learning office staff with an end-of-year report that includes details and reflections on activities accomplished as well as barriers experienced. NOTE: Activities/accomplishments that are planned/expected to occur between May 1 and August 31 can be included in the report as "Expected."
IMPORTANT: First-year fellows who wish to be considered for a second fellowship year must combine their end-of-year report with their Second-Year Fellows Re-application Form and submit both by the May 1 deadline.
Visit Grant Applications and Reporting for a full report template.
Geraldine Lotze
Teaching associate professor
Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences
Thea Pepperl
Assistant professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Alexandra Reckendorf
Assistant professor and associate chair
Department of Political Science, College of Humanities and Sciences
Matthew Vechinski
Assistant professor
Department of Focused Inquiry, University College
Jonathan Waybright
Term instructor of Religious Studies and internship coordinator
School of World Studies, College of Humanities and Sciences
Courtnie Wolfgang, Department of Art Education, School of the Arts
Rebecca Tyree, Department of Music, School of the Arts
Courtnie Wolfgang, Department of Art Education, School of the Arts
Lindsey Chudzik, University College
First Year Fellows
Lindsey Chudzik, University College Jay White, School of Allied Health Professions
Second Year Fellows
Melanie Buffington, School of the Arts
Kristin Caskey, School of the Arts
Robin Everhart, College of Humanities and Sciences, Department of Psychology
Tammy Swecker, School of Dentistry
First Year Fellows
Melanie Buffington, School of the Arts
Kristin Caskey, School of the Arts
Robin Everhart, College of Humanities and Sciences, Department of Psychology
Tammy Swecker, School of Dentistry
Second Year Fellows
Kris Byrd, University College
Tracey Gendron, School of Allied Health Professions
Damian Pitt, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
First Year Fellows
Kris Byrd, University College
Tracey Gendron, School of Allied Health Professions
Damian Pitt, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Second Year Fellows
Kim Isringhausen, School of Dentistry
Carrie LeCrom, School of Education, Center for Sport Leadership
First Year Fellows
Randi Buerlein, School of Social Work
Kim Isringhausen, School of Dentistry
Carrie LeCrom, School of Education, Center for Sport Leadership