Otterbein University

What We Do

The Center for Community engagement oversees 14 different student-led organizations working with urban youth, elders, and animals at non-profit agencies and local schools. We offer more than 90 service-learning courses in which 1,200 students each year combine academics with community service. We also oversee students and faculty who are engaged in undergraduate community-based research examining local environmental issues, youth leadership, mentoring strategies, and organizational management.

The mission of the Center for Community Engagement is to educate citizens to participate responsibly in a global society. We bring together students, faculty, and staff to address five key areas through service-learning, volunteerism, and community-based action research. Those areas are:

Community Engagement Mission

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Civic Responsibility

We take citizenship seriously. That’s why CCE’s student volunteers serve as poll workers, run voter registration drives, and present voter education workshops to schools, churches, and other organizations. Our students bring the national Raise Your Voice and Rock the Vote campaigns to campus. They host town halls and coffee hours to address civic and social justice issues; they talk, then they take action.
Environmental Awareness

We are cultivating a greener future, starting right here at Otterbein. On campus, we encourage sustainable living through recycling programs, environmental awareness, and community clean-ups. Our students work with local organizations to clean and preserve local natural habitats. And we give the fruits of our labor back to the community – straight from the Otterbein University Community Garden! The garden serves as an educational resource for the community and provides produce to a local food bank.
Health

We build healthier communities. Students across campus are addressing the health and wellness needs of our communities through direct service with clinics and organizations. Students may participate in health and wellness education activities, or spend time with senior citizens at a local retirement community. Some of our nursing students even take their skills to clinics as close to home as the Columbus metro area, and as far away as Appalachia, Alaska, Mexico, and Honduras.
Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness

We want to end poverty, hunger, and homelessness. We partner with local soup kitchens and food banks to serve meals, work in food pantries, organize fundraisers and food drives, and even decorate grocery bags to hopefully brighten someone’s day. We also partner with Habitat for Humanity to hammer away at new or old houses constructed by and for lower income families. We use our winter and spring breaks for service, traveling to such places as New Orleans and Appalachia. We say to the people of New Orleans...
Youth Literacy, Education and Development

Our students like to “pass it on.” While Otterbein is giving our students a quality education, our student volunteers in turn help to educate youth in local public schools. Through tutoring, mentoring, and educational programming for children and families, volunteers teach life lessons to at-risk youth. Otterbein students also show youth that a college education is within their reach.

Center for Community Engagement Staff

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Melissa Kesler Gilbert, Director

Melissa brings to Otterbein an established record as a service-learning administrator, faculty member, national engaged faculty scholar and professional development leader. She has published widely in the fields of service-learning, women's studies and civic engagement and is honored to serve as one of five faculty selected in the United States to be a 2006-2007 National Civic Scholar, representing the Mid-West Region for National Campus Compact. Melissa works extensively with our community partners, brokering new partnerships, evaluating our services and planning for future collaborations and is available for one-on-one consultations with faculty, students, and community partners. She can be reached at (614) 823-1270 or via e-mail:mgilbert@otterbein.edu.
Leslie Cavin, Assistant Director

Leslie facilitates student volunteerism, community plunges, the CardinalCorps Leaders program, The Van Sant Leadership Program and oversees the Community Garden. Leslie graduated from James Madison University in 2009 with majors in Public Relations and Media Arts of Design as well as received her Masters of Education from Clemson University in May 2012. She can be reached at 614.823.1272 or via email at lcavin@otterbein.edu.
Darlene Lawson, Program Coordinator

A lifelong Westerville resident, Darlene started her college education at DePauw University in music, but finished her education at Otterbein, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science. For several years, Darlene played violin in the Westerville Symphony at Otterbein. Darlene has an extensive work background in finance as well as customer service, 14 years of which were in Otterbein’s Business Office. Darlene coordinates the CCE’s budgets, databases, and grant reporting systems, works with faculty members on service-learning logistics, and plans CCE events. She can be reached at (614) 823-1270 or via email at dlawson@otterbein.edu.
John Kengla, Service-Learning Liaison

John has taught at Otterbein since 1987 and is an integral part of Otterbein Integrative Studies, Continuing Studies and Senior Year Experience programs. In 2003, John received Otterbein’s MLK Award for Peace and Justice, honoring the many service-learning projects he developed to meet the needs of our local community. John works closely with our faculty to develop new service-learning courses and provides seminars on innovative service-learning pedagogy. He also serves as our Building Representative for Indianola Middle School. John is available for one-on-one consultations with faculty. He can be reached at (614) 823-1374 or via e-mail: jkengla@otterbein.edu.

Our History

Otterbein University has traditionally placed a strong emphasis on community engagement and the development of the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) is reflective of that commitment. The CCE was established in response to the increasing needs of both the community and the student body. Expansions of the CCE have improved the breadth and depth of community engagement at Otterbein University. In 2005, the CCE relocated from the Campus Center to a converted home on Otterbein’s campus. The move allowed the staff to expand to its current state, which fostered significant developments in community engagement. The CardinalCorps, our volunteer network which consists of the students, faculty, staff and alumni who are devoted to social change through community involvement, has increased its participation every year through newly developed programs.

We Are a Gathering Place

The Community Room in the CCE is where service-minded people can meet and unwind. The room is available for presentations and meetings for CCE and Religious Life student organizations, volunteers, community partners, and even faculty book clubs. The room houses a resource library for students and faculty interested in running community programs or developing service-learning courses. We make crafts for community service projects in the Community Room, too. But when the work is done, the room is ready for volunteer appreciation pizza parties and game nights with Wii bowling and Rock Band! Our volunteers like to drop by, hang out, and chat—you’re welcome to join them!

Vehicles & Transportation

The CCE partners with the Otterbein Service Department to provide transportation for students who are participating in community service activities. If you have questions about becoming an Otterbein certified driver or about reserving a van for a community service activity, please contact Darlene Lawson at dlawson@otterbein.edu.

About Us

What We Do

Community Engagement Mission

Civic Responsibility

Environmental Awareness

Health

Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness

Youth Literacy, Education and Development

Center for Community Engagement Staff

Melissa Kesler Gilbert, Director

Leslie Cavin, Assistant Director

Darlene Lawson, Program Coordinator

John Kengla, Service-Learning Liaison

Student Staff

Our History

We Are a Gathering Place

Vehicles & Transportation

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Current Opportunities

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