Superior Edge Task Force Final Report

Budget Justification

Assistant Director for Civic Engagement: The individual filling this position will coordinate several responsibilities that will significantly advance civic engagement and community service activities at Northern Michigan University (NMU). They include:

• Continuing and expanding the advancement of academic service-learning (AS-L) in cooperation with faculty leaders. In addition to being a major initiative at the present time, AS-L is also a key component of the Superior Edge Program
• Coordinating the flow of activity from the University into the community ( NMU Volunteer Center , AS -L, etc)
• Developing long-term partnerships with community organizations
• Continuing to work with faculty leadership and AS-L in-service activities, including AS-L as a tenure and promotion consideration
• Promoting recognition of faculty and students who are engaged in unique and noteworthy AS-L
• Serving as the grant writer/coordinator for AS-L, volunteerism, and civic engagement activities
• Advancing the national recognition of NMU's AS-L and civic engagement activities
• Serve as a liaison to the Superior Edge Advisory Committee

Assistant Director for the Superior Edge: The individual filling this position will coordinate all aspects of the Superior Edge program. They include:

• Developing systems for organizing, verifying and "tracking" Superior Edge participation, i.e., e-portfolios
• Developing promotional materials and a plan to promote participation of current, new and prospective student in the Superior Edge
• Implementing recognition activities for Superior Edge participation
• Working with faculty to make the Superior Edge a comprehensive in- and out-ofclassroom experience
• Creating mechanisms for assisting students with the development of electronic portfolios and providing periodic feedback on their progress
• Advancing the regional and national recognition of the Superior Edge so as to impact student recruitment and the placement of NMU graduates
• Serve as a liaison to the Superior Edge Advisory Committee

Academic Service Learning Faculty Liaison: The faculty member filling this position will be responsible for:

• working closely with the Assistant Director for Civic Engagement in planning and implementing Academic Service-Learning seminars and in-service programs
• meeting with individual faculty members and faculty departments who have an interest in Academic Service-Learning
• promoting Academic Service-Learning as a valuable teaching methodology with faculty
• conducting periodic meetings with the Academic Service-Learning Advisory Board

Clerical Position: The person in this position will be responsible for:

• Providing clerical support for the two Assistant Director positions
• Coordinating the record-keeping for the Superior Edge
• Coordinating the many logistical arrangements that will be associated with the AS-L, civic engagement, Superior Edge and community service initiatives
• Taking minutes for the Superior Edge Advisory Committee

Graduate Assistant: The Graduate Assistant will be responsible for:

• Assisting with the promotion of the Superior Edge Program (promotional materials, classroom visits, and presentations)
• Assisting with recognition efforts
• Advising individual students regarding their participation