Dr. Chrisanne Christensen
MAGNOLIA – Dr. Chrisanne Christensen, associate professor of psychology at Southern Arkansas University, has been named a founding member of Heifer International’s College and University Program Advisory Council. The council is made up of only seven faculty members from across the nation.
“The Advisory Council will help inform and guide us in our effort to plan, facilitate, and monitor our community-based outreach to institutions of higher learning and create a signature program that will demonstrate unique involvement opportunities to interested colleges and universities,” said Todd Montgomery, manager of adult education for Heifer, in a letter announcing Christensen’s appointment. “Of course, these collaborations will focus on Heifer’s philosophy of engaging students and faculty, encouraging them to take social action to help end hunger and poverty.”
Members of the Advisory Council will provide ideas for the direction of Heifer’s college and university outreach, review and provide suggestions concerning Heifer’s current outreach models, render suggestions on specific programs, and seek out and evaluate opportunities for establishing a unified Heifer presence on campuses.
Christensen said she hopes to recruit students to attend training offered by Heifer, design study abroad and service opportunities for students, and design curriculum that will encourage students to become active problem solvers in their community and nationally.
“My work with Heifer will impact how I teach, adding powerful perspectives to the discussions and activities related to solving problems related to Heifer’s mission,” she said. “This opportunity will greatly enhance my research and work with students and faculty engagement.”
Christensen plans to start a Heifer chapter on the SAU campus, and she hopes that the University will be the site of future pilot projects to benefit both the region and student educational experiences.
“In the last several years, I’ve collaborated with many other gifted faculty here,” she said. “We have worked together to design courses that incorporate engagement, preparing our students for the complications of our world. I believe SAU faculty will have many excellent opportunities to work together, collaborate with the international projects of Heifer and develop relationships globally.”
There is no time limit on Christensen’s membership on the Advisory Council. Heifer International will review the Council’s appointments each year.
