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USM/L-A faculty member Michelle Vazquez Jacobus, center, was presented a sentiment of honor recently by the State Legislature for her work with the Lewiston Youth Empowerment Program (LYEP). She is pictured here in the House Chamber with Rep. Elaine Makas, right, her husband Dr. Robert Baskett, and children Dante, Luka and Sophia.
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June 2006
USM/L-A assistant professor, Michelle Vazquez Jacobus; her husband, Dr. Robert Baskett; and their three children, Dante, Luka and Sophia Baskett, were presented a sentiment of honor recently before the Maine State House for Vazquez Jacobus’ community service work and integration in education. The honor was presented on behalf of the House by Lewiston Representatives Elaine Makas and Lillian O’Brian, and for the Maine State Senate by Senator Peggy Rotundo.
Vazquez Jacobus was recognized for her work with the Lewiston Youth Empowerment Program (LYEP), a program created in partnership with Empower Lewiston, which pairs USM student mentors with youth from the downtown Lewiston area to build community, develop leadership, strengthen resiliency, and promote college aspirations. Nearly 40 youth (some youth have participated in the program more than once) and over 50 USM student mentors have completed the semester-long youth empowerment program thus far and have brought their learning and their skills back to the community. With sufficient funding, plans are for the LYEP program to run again this coming fall 2006.
In addition to her work with the LYEP program, Vazquez Jacobus was also recognized for the extensive community engagement of her courses and the depth to which she promotes application of learning through community interaction. Says Vazquez Jacobus “. . . particularly as a public university, we are obliged to be part of the community in the work that we engage in and the material that we teach. Equally importantly, community interaction and application of classroom concepts through experiential learning makes information relevant to students as well as fundamental to building the mutual relationship with the community.” Through the Applied Social Policy course, which Vazquez Jacobus also teaches, students engage with a local community organization to promote positive social change. Through this course, students have undertaken a range of inspirational projects such as creating a liaison position for the Parents as Scholars program; assisting with the development of ideas for the enhancement of the Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary; as well as supporting and researching the possibilities for a local college service-learning consortium.
Asked to comment on her awards, Vazquez Jacobus notes “. . . that such accomplishments have only been made possible because of the GREAT support I have received from my family, and any commendations more appropriately belong with my students.
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