Merritt
D R . J E N N I F E R M E R R I T T
EXPERIENCE
1601 Santa Clara Street, #202.
2014-present Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
Director of Community-based Learning, Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education (2014-present), Lecturer for Program in Liberal Studies (2015- present)
n Responsible for promoting community-engaged teaching, scholarship and service through programming that serves SCU faculty, students and community stakeholders
n Manage team of 4 FT staff that oversees CBL programming including; the Arrupe Weekly Engagement Program (AWE), placing 1200 students per year in community engaged, academic service learning courses with 50 community partners, and the Thriving Neighbors Initiative (TNI), SCU’s place-based CBL innovation https://www.scu.edu/ic/programs/thriving-neighbors/
n Principal Investigator on quarterly Arrupe student self-evaluation research/evaluation through electronic progress reports (approximately 500 students surveyed quarterly with 50% response rate)
n Initiate faculty development programming including workshops on CBL pedagogy and practice in collaboration with; Office of the SCU Provost, Western Conversations in Jesuit Higher Education, Western CBL Directors’ Examen Retreat, and Stanford University Haas Center
n Collaborate with Liberal Studies Faculty and interdisciplinary faculty groups to develop high impact community-engaged teaching and scholarship programs in conjunction with AWE and TNI
Academic Leadership/Social Justice Innovation:
n Lead developer of the Thriving Neighbors Initiative, an engaged teaching, scholarship and community development initiative in partnership with the Greater Washington neighborhood of San Jose
n Collaborative initiator of development presentation resulting in $1,000,000 gift for TNI Endowment
n Principal Investigator on Thriving Neighbors Initiative After School Enrichment Program research/evaluation
n Supervise creation and coordination of 20 education, health, legal justice and economic development programs co-designed by university faculty, student and community resident teams in 2 years
n Initiate engagement of over 24 faculty, 32 student and 20 community team leaders and 300 community residents annually
n Initiate and coordinate development of over 16 project-based courses supporting team-centered student engagement with specific TNI community initiatives
n Design TNI faculty grants program and award 5-10 TNI grants annually to faculty/student/community project-development teams from seven disciplines for the design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of sustainable community-development program models annually
n Co-Designer and developer of the TNI After School Academic Enrichment Program serving 90 children (kindergarten through 7th graders who participate in STEM, Art, Leadership and Nutrition/Gardening education)
n Collaborate with faculty to create and implement a broad-scale participatory action research community assessment (conducted by 2 faculty fellows, one faculty grantee, one staff member, students from 6 project-based courses, and 4 community “promotores” researchers who collaboratively implemented; a physical survey of the neighborhood, an analysis of US Census data, and an extensive community health and family life survey with over 200 respondents in one month)
Teaching/Academic Service:
n ELSJ 22: Solidarity with the Community (2009-present)
n Member of ELSJ CORE Evaluation Committee and ELSJ Syllabus Review Committee
Research Publications and Presentations:
n Merritt, J. and Intolubbe-Chmil, L., ‘Everyone Has Humanity in Them’: Multidimensional Teaching and Learning Through Philosophy-based Discussion, IARSLCE Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education (Winter, 2015).
n Presentation with TNI Team; The Thriving Neighbors Initiative, 2015 International Association for Research on Service Learning and Community Engagement, New Orleans, LA
n Poster Presentation with SCU Office of the Provost; The Strength of the Dotted Line: Partnerships that Enable Organizational, Pedagogical and Curricular Innovation, 2015 Carnegie Foundation Annual Summit, San Francisco, CA
n Workshop Presentation with SCU Office of Assessment and ELSJ; Putting Social Justice at the Center: Assessing Social Justice Learning Outcomes, 2015 IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN
2006-2014 The University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Faculty Director of Mentoring and Diversity, UVa Women’s Center and Associate Director Young Women Leaders Program (YWLP) 2008-2014
Teaching:
n EDLF 5500: Women Peace and Justice (2009-2014)
n PHIL 2000: Teaching Philosophy in High Schools, (Co-instructor 2011-2014)
n EDHS 3500: Fostering Leadership in Girls and Women I and II (Co-instructor 2010- 2014)-YWLP
n WGS 3500: Faith Culture and Girls’ Education in Post-Tsunami, Rural India (study abroad proposed for May, 2014)
Research Grants, Awards and Presentations:
n Jefferson Trust Award 2012: $50,000 for YWLP Global Connections Curriculum Development and Implementation in US and Cameroon
n Academic Community Engagement Course Grant 2010: $9,000 for co- development of course on the use of philosophy as a tool for Positive Youth Development in high schools
n Jefferson Public Citizen’s Grant Faculty Advisor 2013: $16,500 for student research trip to Peru and Nicaragua (YWLP)
n Community Based Undergraduate Research Grant Faculty Advisor 2013: $1,500 for student research on new program implementation using Philosophers Club model (founded by Merritt while serving on the faculty of at John Carroll University) with refugees and migrants attending ESL course at Charlottesville’s Adult LearningCenter
n Jefferson Public Citizen’s Grant Faculty Advisor 2012: $16,500 for student research trip to Panama (YWLP)
n Jefferson Public Citizen’s Grant Faculty Advisor 2011: $29, 955 for student research trip to Cameroon (YWLP)
n Davis Peace Prize Faculty Advisor 2010: for Student project trip to Cairo (YWLP)
n American Educational Studies Association conference presentation 2012: Everyone Has Humanity in Them’: Multidimensional Teaching and Learning Through Philosophy-based Discussion
n IARSLCE Connected Knowing Conference 2012 Poster presentation: The Philosophers' Club: Using Philosophy Discussion to Reverse the Cycle of Delinquency
Academic Leadership/Social Justice Innovation:
n Women’s Center Philosophers’ Club (2009-2014): Created and implemented new version of social justice model designed and developed in 1999 while serving on the faculty of John Carroll University for implementation with the Charlottesville City Schools’ Alternative High School Program. Presented to Charlottesville City School Board in 2011.
n Approved as core program in 2012:
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2012/jul/07/city-schools-plan-learn- and-serve-ar-2040787/
n Expanded to India and the Charlottesville Adult learning Center 2013:
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=ngigjtdab&v=001UhnojcJllMoxGjUdtdsyRbwmS2jLGpIBUYUFu92e1rhpyIBjOGTk8fZm165ju9S8UW dCMPBLefH785sHxZnUEu15xzv0n8P-d3tdFLnpFobMtmA_XBYg4lHlMGkfwTQhImCt5PPCoU9wq8dgzh88lQ%3 D%3D
§ Served as Co-Chair and Commissioner on Catholic Diocese Haiti Commission for VA-based Catholic Relief and Development projects in Haiti including health care, education, sustainable development, legislative advocacy and parish twinning.
§ Board member on Catholic Diocese Haiti Education Fund Board focused on educational development and teacher training in Hinche,Haiti.
Faculty Research Associate/Grant Coordinator, UVa Curry School of Education 2006-20008
n Coordinated $1,000,000+ grant for the Curry School of Education’s Emerging Pathways Project.
n Supported relationship with Lumina Foundation for Education, coordinated national focus groups, data analysis, project reports, and dissemination. Developed new research topics and grant proposals with national team of researchers associated with Emerging Pathways Project.
2000- 2006 John Carroll University Cleveland, OH
Faculty, Department of Education:
Assistant Professor Tenure Track (2005-2006)
Visiting Assistant Professor (1999-2001, 2004-2005) Adjunct (2001-4) Founder and Director, Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program (CCPP) Positive Youth Development Model, 1999-2006
Academic Leadership/Social Justice Innovation:
n Designed and developed Social Justice Program model Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program (CCPP) grounded in the strategies of philosophical discussion, art enrichment, gifted education and service learning.
n Obtained approximately $1,000,000 in grant funding over 6 years as founder
Santa Clara, CA 95050 (434) 806-1169
and director of the CCPP Positive Youth Development (PYD) model: a university-based middle school for urban, court-adjudicated students, and later a high school enrichment program for under-served, urban juniors and seniors.
n Managed staff of university faculty, urban school teachers and college student mentors to develop and implement the CCPP curriculum that provided students from the Cleveland Municipal School District with a unique educational experience. Achieved statistically significant, positive gains in overall achievement and reading as well as qualitative evidence of improved interest in school, service to others and attending college (as determined by evaluators from the National Research Center for Gifted and Talented Education at UVa).
n Recipient of the American Philosophical Association’s National Innovation Award 2005 for the Carroll Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
Ignatian Mission Leadership:
n Participant in Ignatian Spiritual Exercises 8 Day Silent Retreat, 2000 and 2001.
n Participant in 19th Annotation 2004-2006.
n Faculty leader for student immersion trip to Tijuana, Mexico 2005.
n University representative at National Jesuit Conference on Migration 2005.
n University representative at National Jesuit Conference on Social Justice 2005.
n Faculty participant on student immersion trip to Duran, Ecuador 2003.
n Ignatian Day Forum, responder for keynote address by Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., on urban justice 2002.
n Commendation from Office of Multicultural Affairs for service to mission.
n Recipient of GLSEN Pathfinder Award for development of teacher education curricula focused on supporting the unique needs of LGBTQ students in high schools 2006.
Teaching/Scholarship:
n Taught graduate and undergraduate level education courses for 7 years in the Department of Education covering philosophical, anthropological, social and historical topics in education as well as global justice and education rights including;
n ED 253 School and Society (Social Foundations of Education)
n ED 350 Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society (cultural and global competence)
n Ford, T. and Merritt, J. Immigration Dialogue: the Immigrant in our Midst, Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education (2007).
n First author, 2007 article for UNESCO’s Philosophy: A School of Freedom report. Article detailed the implementation and evaluation of the Carroll Cleveland Philosophers’ Program model. (Presented the paper at UNESCO’s 2006 Paris conference on philosophy in human rights education as noted below).
Academic Presentations
2006 UNESCO conference on philosophy and human rights education, Paris, France
n Presentation in October 2006 on Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program design, curriculum development, and program implementation.
2006 Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain, Oxford University, Oxford, England
n Presentation at March 2006 conference on Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program design and implementation.
2006 American Philosophical Association, Washington, D.C.,
n Presentation at December 2006 conference on Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program design and implementation.
2005 Celebration of Scholarship, John Carroll University
n Presented on Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program and Global Education Lesson Plan Development.
2000 International Association of Correctional Educators
n Qualitative evaluation of the Touchstones philosophy discussion curriculum at the Charlottesville Regional Jail. Researcher implemented and evaluated philosophy discussion curriculum with students in correctional education program.
1999 American Evaluation Association
n Qualitative evaluation of the Touchstones philosophy discussion curriculum at the Charlottesville Regional Jail.
1998 American Educational Studies Association
n Qualitative evaluation of Teens Give program, a service learning program for court adjudicated teens.
Foundation Grants Awarded Upon Individual Request:
2005 The Cleveland Municipal School District Cleveland, OH
n $30,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2004/5 The Cleveland Municipal School District Cleveland, OH
n $45,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2003 The Cleveland Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $135,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2003 The Jennings Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $25,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2003 The Cleveland Municipal School District Cleveland, OH
n $70,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2002 The Cleveland Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $80,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2002 The Jennings Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $27,500 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2002 The Cleveland Municipal School District Cleveland, OH
n $75,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2001 The Cleveland Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $65,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2001 The Jennings Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $27,500 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2001 The Cleveland Municipal School District Cleveland, OH
n $75,000 for support of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2000 The Cleveland Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $65,000 for creation of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2000 The Jennings Foundation Cleveland, OH
n $27,500 for creation of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
2000 The Cleveland Municipal School District Cleveland, OH
n $75,000 for creation of the Carroll-Cleveland Philosophers’ Program.
Industry Experience
1993-1997 Johnson and Johnson Medical, Inc. Arlington, TX
Market Manager 1996, Product Director 1995, Associate Marketing Manager 1993
n Responsible for strategic marketing endeavors for medical products division of multinational medical and consumer marketing firm focused on the home health care market.
Industry Leadership/Social Justice Innovation:
n Recipient of annual J&J Medical Champion Award for development of Positive Youth Development educational program for under-served students from Arlington schools.
n Recipient of $12,000 J&J corporate grant for development of collaborative educational program for under-served students from Arlingtonschools.
1988-1991 Sun Newspapers, Inc. Cleveland, OH
Promotions and Marketing Manager/ Publication Manager
n Directed promotions for local newspaper chain serving 13 communities in the Greater Cleveland area. Developed and managed magazine insert product offering human interest stories and targeting high impact advertisers.
1986-1988 NewsLink, Inc. Washington, D.C.
Research Assistant to Investigative Reported
EDUCATION
2016-present Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
· MA candidate, Program in Pastoral Ministry
1997-1999 The University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
· Ph.D., Sociology of Education, The Curry School of Education
· Recipient of full scholarship and graduate assistantship
1991-1993 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
· M.M., J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
· Recipient of Kellogg Dean’s Distinguished Service Award,
· Recipient of Christian-Marsteller Scholarship,
· Recipient of Kosciuszko Foundation Fellowship
· Recipient of German Marshal Fund Fellowship
· Recipient of $18,000 “Business with a Heart” grant written to support “Cities in Schools,” a Chicago-based drop-out prevention program
1982-1986 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
· B.A., Political Science
· Member, Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honorary
SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION
2012-2013 EMU Center for Justice and PeacebuildingHarrisonburg, VA
n Completed four courses toward certificate in conflict transformation.
2008 Yale Divinity School New Haven, CT
n Continuing education in ethnomusicology and film.
2004 Boston College, Program in Pastoral Ministry Boston, MA
n Summer course in Liberation Theology.
1998 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
n Summer researcher with Center for the Education of Students Placed at Risk. 1997 Humility of Mary ServiceVolunteer Chicago, IL
n Summer volunteer in faith-based service corps working with urban children.
1992 Republic of Poland, Ministry of PrivatizationWarsaw, Poland
n Summer intern with Peace Corps representative in the Ministry of Privatization focused on Mass Privatization Program.
1990 Yale University New Haven, CT
· Certificate in leadership from Yale School of Organization Management.
1986 The Brookings Institution Washington, D.C.
· Summer intern with Senior Fellow in Political Science.
1985 Oxford University Oxford, England
§ Summer program in Political Science and Economics.