Senior Jameka Parker honored for community service

UNC Charlotte senior Jameka Parker has been recognized for outstanding leadership and service by North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide network of colleges and universities committed to community engagement. Parker is a recipient of the Community Impact Student Award, which honors one student leader at each member school.

Parker, from Fayetteville, is one of 18 students across the state to receive the 2014 award, joining more than 200 college students honored by the organization since the award was first presented in 2006.

A pre-service teacher majoring in middle grades education with a civic minor in urban youth and communities, Parker said she believes deeply in service learning, both as a civic obligation and as meaningful pedagogy. As a part of a community engagement capstone, Parker started a girl’s dance troupe in a high poverty middle school with a curriculum focused on academic achievement, mentoring and self-esteem. Using the fundamentals of participatory action research, she conducted a needs assessment with students and teachers. The resulting program combined dance, academic support and mentoring during a special period of the school day. The senior recruited fellow UNC Charlotte students to implement the curriculum, which improved student attitudes and school success.

Susan Harden, assistant professor of education, nominated Parker for the award. “Jameka really ‘gets’ service learning,” Harden said. “She will make a wonderful teacher who knows how to use this pedagogy in her own classroom.”

Parker and other award winners will be honored at North Carolina Campus Compact’s annual student conference on Nov. 8 at N.C. State University in Raleigh. Now in its 21st year, the 2014 conference will convene 180 student leaders from 25 campuses in five states, offering participants a slate of workshops focused on leadership best practices and community issues.

North Carolina Campus Compact is a collaborative network of colleges and universities with a shared commitment to educating engaged citizens and strengthening communities. Guided by an executive board of presidents and chancellors, the compact supports member schools through professional development and resources related to civic and community engagement. It was founded in 2002 and is hosted by Elon University.