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Redbird Impact Spring 2018 cover textless with illustration collage showing nurses, sewing, other people, and a sailboat at sea

Volume 1 • Number 1 • Spring 2018

Janet Paterson head shot

Introduction to Redbird Impact

Welcome to the first issue of Redbird Impact. Through this biannual magazine, we will inform, celebrate, and inspire others with stories and examples of the efforts being made by students, faculty, and staff at Illinois State University to positively impact the communities in which we live, work, and study.

A student sews at Fix It Friday.

Sewing problems: Students offer free clothing repairs to community

An elderly man approached a couple of students sitting in front of a sewing machine in the Coffee Hound and asked what they were doing. Repairing clothes, they told him, and noticing a large rip in his jacket, suggested he get it fixed.

Illinois State nursing students like Miranda Rangel, B.S.N. ‘17, have been helping to improve the health of area students as part of America’s Promise.

Healthy habits: Nursing students working in schools to improve young people’s lives

Persuading 30 kindergartners to walk in a single-file line around a dimly lit school gymnasium looked about as easy as corralling a dozen cats into a phone booth. Illinois State nursing student Kenia Najera pulled off the trick with the help of staff at Fairview Elementary in Normal.

Needles floating in red background with blue and white dots

Saving the world: One class project at a time

Two School of Social Work students are helping to save the lives of overdose victims in Peoria through a project they created in class.

Client and mentor Joan Brehm puts Jessie through a training exercise designed to search for a target odor.

ISU’s Innovation Consulting Community: Teaming students with mentors to serve real clients

A new program is giving Illinois State students an opportunity to get a head start on their careers while helping the community.

Water crashing over a bridge during Hurricane Harvey in Kemah, Texas

Redbirds contribute to Harvey relief efforts

Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and Louisiana in August devastating the region. Redbirds stepped up and helped with the relief effort.

President Larry Dietz speaks to those attending the ribbon cutting for the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.

Redbird Impact spotlight: Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning

Each issue we highlight university units that contribute significantly to civic engagement efforts on campus. It would only be appropriate then for our first issue to spotlight Illinois State University’s new hub for civic engagement: the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.

Student volunteers pose for a photo at job site

Get involved: Upcoming civic engagement opportunities at ISU

Here are some upcoming community engagement events and opportunities available through Illinois State University.