Chris Wood Foreman will tell you that when she came to Eastern Michigan University 11 years ago, her focus was on her teaching and research. She also knew service activities were part of the academic mix but, to her, it was not initially a priority.
That afterthought, over time, turned into a passion.
Her long list of service to the University was recognized this year when Foreman was named the recipient of the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Award for Service to the University. Foreman was awarded a plaque and a $3,500 honorarium at the Celebration of Faculty Excellence Awards March 30.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE: Chris Wood
Foreman, professor of communication and
theatre arts and campus director of
American Humanics, was recently
awarded the Ronald W. Collins
Distinguished Faculty Award for Service
Activity. |
"I'm really quite surprised. If you would have told me 11 years ago that I would have won the Distinguished Faculty Award for Service Activity, I would have laughed. It was not a priority," said Foreman, professor of communication and theatre arts and campus director of American Humanics. "That's why I feel even more honored."
Foreman started at EMU in 1994 as an assistant professor in communication and theatre arts. In her second year here, she became involved in Academic Service-Learning as a Faculty Fellow. That experience gave her the service bug and the realization that service complemented her teaching and research.
"I came in, naively, thinking service was just volunteering time," Foreman recalled. "Now, I think of it as volunteering talent. For instance, facilitating a meeting. If that's a skill a nonprofit or group on campus wants, I see that as rewarding. It's not just giving time."
But time is something she's given plenty of.
Foreman has facilitated retreats for numerous University departments and committees, and facilitated departmental planning sessions, conflict resolution sessions, and program planning and review sessions. She also has designed and conducted workshops on a number of communication-related topics, including small group decision making, presentational skills, listening, creative problem solving, facilitating meetings, supervisory communication, conflict resolution, leadership, customer service and creative thinking skills.
Her presentations have benefited EMU students, staff and administrators as well as a variety of external audiences, including Ford Motor Company, Hallmark Cards, General Motors, Consumers Energy, public school systems and community organizations. She also facilitated training sessions with the City of Dearborn, Washtenaw County and other local city councils.
"Joe Ohren from ICARD always says to go above and beyond the terms of the contact if you're really looking to foster long-term relationships," Foreman said of her work with companies and local government and schools.
In 2001, Foreman became the campus director for the American Humanics program at EMU. American Humanics is an alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations dedicated to preparing undergraduates for careers with human service agencies. She has used this role to explore additional connections between academic research and community service, opportunities that have led to enhanced student learning.
"They're (American Humanics students) sort of what I wished I'd been in college," Foreman said. "When I went to school, I was just interested in taking classes."
To receive their certification, American Humanics students have to meet certain academic requirements, put in at least 300 hours of community service at 501C3 nonprofit organizations, attend an annual institute and be active in the American Humanics Student Association. Eastern Michigan currently has 15 students who are working toward their American Humanics certificate, Foreman said.
Foreman also has designed and taught unique courses such as "Communication and Creativity" and "Nonprofit Organizational Communication."
"I knew I had these skills and abilities," Foreman said. "It never dawned on me that I could translate that to provide service."
Foreman received her doctorate and master's degree in organizational communication, both from the University of Kentucky. She earned her bachelor's degree in business from Bowling Green State University.
