A University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point professor of sociology and criminology has been recognized for the work she and her students do to help several youth organizations in Portage County.
Dorothy De Boer received the 2017 Sister Joel Read Civic Engagement Practitioners Award. It is given by Campus Compact Wisconsin to a faculty or staff member from a state college or university who brings the community into the classroom through student interaction and service learning.
De Boer has facilitated more than 7,000 hours of student work with community partners such as the Boys and Girls Club, Portage County Truancy Abatement Program, Choices to Change group home, YMCA teen center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Resource Center and area schools.
The students assist in meeting the immediate needs of at-risk youth as well as providing a valuable work force for these organizations, said De Boer.
"I believe that community engagement is essential," she said. "In addition to serving these agencies, students gain professional career and leadership skills and gain insight into the diversity of individuals in the community with unique challenges."
De Boer has written and presented numerous papers at regional and national meetings of professional organizations on the topic of service learning and active community engagement. She was a catalyst for developing a new minor in criminal justice at UW-Stevens Point, which began last May. Recently she won the University Service Award at the annual recognition ceremony for faculty and staff members. She has taught at UW-Stevens Point since 1999.
Skip to main content
