Spring/Summer 2011 - St. Jerome's University

SJUUPDATEfirst-year students during orientation week. Jenn Wunderdescribes the BeInclusive Documentary Project as “such anincredible way to learn about our campus environment,and also to apply everything we were learning in the SMFprogram. It really has been something that exemplifies thenotion of research, theory and practice that is emphasizedso strongly in SMF, because everything we were learningabout our campus would inform what we were learningin our classes and vice versa, and this would also affecthow we put this knowledge into practice.”Putting knowledge into practice became a formalizedaspect of the SMF program in 2009. Since then, overthirty-five students have been involved in four oreight-month practicum placements at a variety of localcommunity organizations, such as Early Years centres,sexual health and education services, agencies andshelters servicing homeless youth, counseling services andcommunity outreach.Students in SMF mustalso complete ePortfolios(electronic portfolios)as a tool to capturetheir historical learningthrough the program andreflect on the connectionbetween research andtheoretical learning – inessence, demonstratingwhat they’ve learnedand how the worldaround them has beenimpacted. Through both the practicum placements andthe ePortfolios, students use critical analysis and integratethe knowledge and experiences obtained during theSMF undergraduate degree, with a view to transferringthis learning to work or educational pursuits beyondgraduation as leaders within their communities.Over the past few years, interest in the SMF programof study has been on the rise. This might be in partbecause the SMF professors link their own research toSMF, creating more awareness about the program andthe learning approach. Dr. Penny Light was recentlyrecognized for her co-authorship of a successful CanadianInstitutes of Health Research (CIHR) grant application,Gender and Health: Histories. In 2008, she publishedan article entitled “Making Connections: DevelopingStudents’ Historical Thinking with Electronic Portfolios.”She was also featured in February on CTVs ProvinceWideas an expert in dating and relationships. Dr. Serafini,meanwhile, published “The Functions of Identity Scale:Validation in Italian Late Adolescents and EmergingAdults” in 2010, and recently co-authored an article“Undergraduate Students Identify What Fosters CriticalSelf-reflection in Higher Learning”, in an edited volumeon Canadian scholarship of teaching and learning, withfellow SMF Adjunct Professor, Carm De Santis. She isalso working on co-authoring a book on current issues inadolescence and working on an interactive website projectabout sexuality, relationships, and social issues concerningadolescents and their families.Coming up in the year ahead, for the first time, theFlorence Fleming Award will be given to an upper-yearstudent in Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies.The award was created by SJU student Ted Fleming inSMF students andprofessors MarlenePfaff (former sessionalinstructor), CarmDe Santis, andToni Serafini withinternationallyrecognized parentingexpert Barbara Colorosomemory of his grandmother, Florence Fleming, whostrongly supported post-secondary education, particularlyfor women and for sex education.As the SMF program continues to grow, it’s importantto see how it fits within the tradition and vision of St.Jerome’s University. Dr. Penny Light explains, “It allcomes back to the very concept of social justice andempowering students with the knowledge, compassionand leadership skills to impact and change the worldaround them. The SMF program is all about inclusivity,being accepting of others, practicing ethical behaviourand fostering sensitivity – and that’s all about SJU’scommitment to learning and academic excellence throughthe gospel values of love, truth and justice, and theformation of leaders for the service of the communityand the Church.”5