New Rochelle, N.Y. - Iona University is proud to announce that Brother Kevin M. Griffith, CFC, ’83 will serve in a newly created role to strengthen and build community partnerships for service-learning at Iona University.
At Iona, service-learning is a faculty-led academic experience with three main components: academic content, community partnerships and reflective experiences. Iona faculty from any academic discipline may offer a service-learning class. Br. Kevin’s outreach to community partners will help establish more opportunities for the development of additional service-learning courses. Dr. Nadine Cosby, associate vice provost for Academic Affairs and Dayna Richardson, coordinator of Study Abroad and Service-Learning will be working with Br. Kevin to drive progress.
In addition, Br. Kevin aims to connect the University’s Study Abroad and Iona in Mission trips with co-curricular service opportunities that will provide students with the tools necessary to become advocates for social justice around the world. Sean D’Alfonso, director of Mission and Ministry, and Br. Kevin will collaborate on ways to incorporate co-curricular service-learning opportunities as part of the student experience.
The integration of service-learning pedagogy at Iona University is a manifestation of the ideals and values articulated in the University’s mission statement.
“Iona’s identity in the tradition of American Catholic Higher Education, along with the legacies of St. Columba and Blessed Edmund Rice, give Iona a distinct spiritual charism that helps guide my work here in the field of service-learning,” he said.
Prior to joining Iona, Brother Kevin Griffith served as the Provincial Leader of the Christian Brothers in North and Latin America. In 2022, he also won the Loftus Award, which spotlights an outstanding Christian Brother or long-serving faculty, administrator and staff member at Iona. From 2014-2023, he also served as a member of the Iona Board of Trustees.
“We are excited to work closely with Brother Griffith to strengthen service-learning offerings to students. Students will benefit from participating in reflective experiences that facilitate deep critical thinking, academic learning and social justice skills,” said Nadine Barnett Cosby, Ph.D., associate vice provost for Academic Affairs.
Brother Kevin believes the cornerstones of Blessed Edmund Rice’s charism presence, compassion and liberation are the foundations that guide not only his faith but also his leadership within the service-learning program.
These cornerstones align with Iona’s commitment to faith, scholarship and service.
His office is located in the Office of Study Abroad and Service-Learning in Driscoll Hall. He can be contacted at kgriffith@iona.edu.
Source: Iona University Website.