The award recipients, receiving $1,000 to $5,000 in grants and stipends, have been selected from five service-learning-based categories including faculty development, service-learning scholar, gang prevention initiative, interdisciplinary project incentive and department incentive grants.

"While we have been giving curriculum development grants for the last five years, this year we're excited to add four new categories," said Maureen Rubin, director of CSUN's Center for Community Service-Learning.

The center's grants have helped faculty to initiate 11 new service-learning classes offered in nine departments, and allowed faculty to hire 13 student scholars to develop their leadership skills through assistance in the implementation, development and preparation of service-learning classes.

Funds have also allowed faculty to design community programs that deliver innovative after-school enrichment activities such as arts, culture, sports, dance, recreation, language, vocational training or leadership to youth at risk for joining gangs.

Among this year's projects is one aimed at tackling the rising trend of obesity. Project END (Exercise and Nutrition Defeat) will work with elementary students within the Los Angeles Unified School District, who will have their body mass index measured at the beginning of the semester to identify children at risk for obesity. Project END will also educate children about the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and being physically active.

Department incentive grants have been awarded to support university departments that have incorporated service-learning into the curriculum and personnel.

"Funds from the governor's office and federal government have allowed us to meet the changing needs of CSUN students and faculty by providing them with more support for service-learning opportunities," said Rubin.

A $2.2 million allocation from former Gov. Gray Davis to the 23-campus California State University system passed in 2000 to fund infrastructure and curriculum development has resulted in $48,000 for CSUN this year.

The Center for Community Service-Learning grant recipients are:

Department Incentive Grants ($3,000)

1. Health Sciences Department: "Implementation of an Engaged Department Action Plan in Health Sciences"
2. Child and Adolescent Development Department: "Community Service Internships for Child and Adolescent Development"
3. Marketing Department: "Models of Client-Based Projects: Comparative Analysis"
4. Educational Psychology Department: "Practical Infusion of Service- Learning Education Throughout the Department of Education Psychology"

Faculty Curriculum Development Grants ($1,000)

1. Edith Chen, Asian American Studies: "Recapturing the Experiences of Japanese American Farmers in the San Fernando Valley Prior to WW II"
2. Irene Clark, English: "Writing and Learning in the Health Sciences: An Integrative Model Incorporating Service-Learning"
3. Herman Debose, Sociology: "Exploring Youth Identities and Labels"
4. Paula DiMarco, Art: "Graphic Design II"
5. Aki Hirota, Japanese: "Project GRAD College Institute"
6. Clifton Justice, English: "Service-Learning and Freshman English"
7. Virginia Kennedy, Special Education: "Promoting Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in the General Classroom through Service-Learning"
8. Patricia O'Donnell-Brummett, Sociology: "Social Factors in Juvenile Delinquency"
9. Bridget Sampson, Communication Studies: "Reaching Out Through Mentoring"
10. Shane Stecyk, Kinesiology: "Clinical Experience/Service Learning in Athletic Training"
11. Veda Ward, Leisure Studies: "Recreation and Community Development"

Gang Prevention Initiative Grant ($1,750 stipend)

1. Robert Gustafson, Cinema and Television Arts: "After School Filmmaking Program for at Risk Youth"
2. James Hill, Journalism: "Journalism Field Work"
3. Lesley Krane, Art: "Photography: The Recent Past"
4. Robert Lingad, Computer Science: "Social Issues In Computing"
5. Robert Orona-Cordova, Chicano Studies: "Creative Writing"

Interdisciplinary Project Incentive Grant ($5,000)

1. Annette Besnilian, Family and Consumer Sciences
2. Vicky Jaque, Kinesiology
3. Stephen Loy, Kinesiology
4. Gretta Madjzoob, Health Sciences
5. Janette Risk, North Valley/Porter Ranch YMCA

Launched in 1998, CSUN's Center for Community-Service Learning aims to inspire, encourage and support students and faculty in their pursuit of academic excellence through involvement in meaningful community service.