Clarion University–Venango Campus Students Participate in Community Project

           Five Clarion University–Venango Campus students have been selected to become Focus on our Future Collaborative Board Evaluation Trainees.  This program is the result of a partnership between Clarion University and the Venango County Focus on Our Future Collaborative Board and is made possible by grants from the Clarion University Community Fellows Program and the Elizabeth S. Black Charitable Trust.The Venango County Focus on our Future Collaborative Board is a prevention-oriented collaborative partnership among individuals, parents, families, children, organizations, businesses, and schools that work together to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families in Venango County.

            “This is an excellent opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience in the human services and to make a significant contribution to their community,” said Dr. Carie Forden, of Clarion University’s Department of Psychology, who teaches at the Venango Campus and will be the students’ direct supervisor for the project. “They will have the chance to work with agency leaders as they assist them in evaluating the effectiveness of the prevention services that are designed to improve the lives of children and families in Venango County.”

            The students will receive forty hours of formal training in program evaluation and will work for at least fifty hours with a human service agency in conducting an evaluation.  Trainees will receive scholarship support in order to attend evaluation training sessions, present their work at Clarion University’s undergraduate conference, and be awarded an honorarium of $250.00 upon completion of the program.

             “The most important focus of Clarion University–Venango Campus is to serve the needs of the community,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean. “We are grateful to the Elizabeth S. Black Charitable Trust, and to Dr. Linda Nolan, Clarion University Provost and Academic Vice President, for the opportunity to help in this valuable endeavor, while providing an enriched learning experience for our students.”

            Kasey McClintock, a rehabilitative sciences major, will work with Child to Family Connections. Yvonne Hale, who is also majoring in rehabilitative sciences, will be assigned to Family Services and Children’s Aid Society.

            Psychology major Doug Strouse will work with Venango Training and Development Corporation.  Working with Community Services of Venango County are Billie Brady-Patton and Amber McMillen, who are also psychology majors.

            Clarion University-Venango Campus, located in Oil City, PA, is the oldest regional campus in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.   The campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed.  Students can earn an associate degree, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses.  Venango Campus students can also begin any of more than ninety Clarion University bachelor’s degrees.  The campus is home to Clarion University’s School of Nursing and Allied Health and its Department of Applied Technology.  Clarion University-Venango Campus is committed to serving the needs of the community.

Back to Venango Campus Home Page