Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness instructor earns statewide award
Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness instructor Richard Szwaja was one of four educators in the state of Michigan to be honored with a Champion of Engagement Award from the Michigan Campus Compact organization. The award was presented April 7 at MiCC’s Awards Gala, held at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center in East Lansing.
The Champion of Engagement Award recognizes individuals who make significant contributions to the sustainability and institutionalization of community engagement, with particular attention given to those who are able to bridge the activities of student affairs and academic affairs. A Champion of Engagement generally will have been working within a system over time, cultivating participation of students and peers, and affecting cultural change.
Szwaja has been a part-time instructor for the College of Health and Human Services for several years, often teaching HOL 1000, a widely popular gen ed class for the college. In addition, he also teaches in the Lee Honors College and has taught Seita Scholar courses.
"Building partnerships between students and our broader community offers many benefits to students and community alike," said Szwaja. " Student learning becomes more meaningful and relevant, and the partnerships help to foster a shared understanding of the strengths, challenges and opportunities within our community. It is a blessing to work at WMU with many people who champion student-community engagement, and I am honored to have been selected for this award."
In the fall of 2014, Szwaja received the Excellence in Service-Learning Award from the Office of Service Learning for his excellent work in service learning on campus.
"Richard is highly engaged and incredibly active as an instructor. We love his dedication to WMU and to his students and are very proud that he's received this recognition," said Gay Walker, program coordinator for the Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness program.
Other recipients of the 2016 Champion of Engagement Award were Ethan Lowenstein from Eastern Michigan University and Brian Ivory and Dale Weighill from Mott Community College.
Michigan Campus Compact is a coalition of college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education. MiCC promotes the education and commitment of Michigan college students to be civically engaged citizens, through creating and expanding academic, co-curricular and campus-wide opportunities for community service, service-learning and civic engagement.