February 16, 2016   
Three Voinovich Scholars present research at first showcase of the year

Voinovich School students, faculty and staff gathered on Feb. 5 to enjoy coffee and snacks while celebrating the work of the three current Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholars whose accomplishments were highlighted at the first Voinovich Scholar Showcase of 2016.
Holly Craycraft, research associate with the Voinovich School and coordinator of the Undergraduate Research Scholar program, hosted the showcase to offer scholars the opportunity to engage with the School, connect with one another and understand other Scholars' work.

Bethany N. Bella, a sophomore studying environmental policy and communications, presented her work with the Appalachian Watershed Research Group, which provides interdisciplinary, high-quality, applications-based watershed research.

"The Appalachian Watershed Research Group has really benefitting Southeast Ohio," Bella said. "They've primarily focused on acid-mine drainage and reclaimed 42 miles of stream degraded by coal-mining and other environmentally harmful activities. That was amazing to see, but nobody really knew that that was happening."

Junior political science and economic development student Ellenore Holbrook showcased a very different aspect of the Voinovich School's work.

Holbrook has worked with assistant professor and Master of Public Administration Director Jason Jolley to complete a skill-shed analysis of Kentucky coal mining jobs, which have significantly declined in recent years. A skill-shed analysis identifies the skills individuals in a given occupation can be expected to have that are transferable into other fields. The analysis also compares requisite certifications as well as salaries and other factors.

"We want to branch out to West Virginia and cover as many Appalachian counties as we can to show that the people who used to work in the coal industry are not a lost cause," Holbrook said. "These are still people, and they still need a place to work. They need jobs that offer at least comparable salaries so they can continue supporting their families."

The third presenter was Jasper Wirtschafter, a senior economics student. Wirtshafter shared about his work with TechGROWTH Ohio, a public-private entrepreneurship support program serving the Appalachian Ohio region and part of the Voinovich School. Wirtschafter works primarily with UpGrade Athens County, an environmental nonprofit focused on energy efficiency, on projects such as the distribution of LED light bulbs and the placement of solar panels on public buildings.

"As TechGROWTH Ohio, we're trying to help them get started figure out which of their ideas can change Athens County," Wirtshafter said. "There are so many people doing different energy projects in Athens County; to bring them all together and have conversations together can have a huge impact on this area."
Researchers and faculty co-author integrative waste study, present at Washington, D.C. conference

Faculty and researchers from the Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs presented during the 16th National Conference and Global Forum on Science, Policy and the Environment held January 19-21 in Washington, D.C. Reflecting the importance of integrating research agendas across fields, the conference focused on the intersections between food, energy and water and how managing them collectively can improve their efficiency.

Speakers included Derek Kauneckis, associate professor of environmental studies; Natalie Kruse, associate professor of environmental studies; Sarah Davis, assistant professor of environmental studies; Geoffrey Dabelko, professor and director of environmental studies; Scott Miller, Center for Energy, Economics and Environment director; and Michael Zimmer, Appalachian New Economy Partnership fellow. More than 1,200 leaders in science, technology, government and business attended the conference.

Along with Voinovich School research scientist Kim Miller, the speakers authored a paper for the conference entitled, "Closing the Loop: Integrative Systems Management of Waste in Food, Energy and Water Systems," appearing in the Feb. 2016 issue of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
Voinovich School evaluates tool to aid in placement of foster children
  
On any given day, Ohio has more than 12,500 children in foster care, and new children are entering the system all the time. In 2013 alone, 9,875 children became part of the Ohio foster care system. Given what most of these kids have been through - abuse, neglect, parental drug abuse - providing a stable, comfortable foster home is a priority.

"Kids should be in the least restrictive setting," Lesli Johnson, Voinovich School associate professor, said. "They should be in the setting where they get their needs met and that's most like being in a family setting."

Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. In a 2014 report to Congress, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that nearly 11 percent of children in Ohio's foster care system in 2012 had three or more placements on file. Of those, about one-third had been in foster care for less than two years.

To improve its track record, the state is seeking an evidence-based approach to placing children and is funding evaluations of various placement tools to find the best options. In 2015, Johnson and Anirudh Ruhil, Voinovich School associate professor, received a two-year grant from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to evaluate the Child and Adolescent Needs Assessment Survey (CANS) tool currently being tested in 11 Ohio counties, including Athens.

The Voinovich School's evaluation of the CANS tool considers placement stability, length of stay, appropriateness of placement and costs.

If the evaluation of the pilot program indicates that the CANS tool is effective, Johnson said there would likely be state-government interest in expanding the use of the tool and further evaluating its efficacy. At that point the tool could be compared, in terms of the quality of its results, with other tools used across the state.

Johnson said that she is excited about the evaluation and hopes that, due in part to the Voinovich School's work, children will soon be able to get the care they need and placed into a home or permanent family situation much more quickly.

Microgrid forum explores alternative energy options for Athens County
  
Microgrids are an increasingly popular form of energy production independent of the common power grid. To explain the advantages of these small, self-supporting energy systems, Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs executive-in-residence Michael Zimmer and Athens Energy Institute Project co-director Roger Wilkens held an open microgrids forum for the Athens community on January 28.

The forum included Athens County Commissioner Chris Chmiel, Athens City Council member Patrick McGee, and Ohio University Director of Utilities Joel Baetens.

The Athens Microgrid Project will link the electrical energy systems for a cluster of six low- to moderate-income households in Athens County, enabling them to share costs and reduce electricity use. The pilot project aims to inform a greater movement toward the Appalachian region's transition to renewable energy.
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
Dr. Francesca Gordon joins Voinovich School as applied research professor
 
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Francesca Gordon, who recently accepted an offer to join the Voinovich School as an applied research professor. She has impressive experience with data and data visualization, and will be an important resource to the Planning, Evaluation, Education and Research (PEER) team, TechGROWTH Ohio and other growing Voinovich School health and social innovation partnerships across the University.

Gordon is a data scientist and has previously worked at Connance, Inc. as a senior data scientist and at Excelimmune, Inc. as a research scientist. She also has held postdoctoral fellowships at Tufts Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital. At Connance, Inc., Gordon helped develop a tool to identify individuals likely to have social barriers to healthcare access in order to help clients develop appropriate intervention strategies.

Gordon received a B.A. in biology from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from Baylor College of Medicine in June 2007.

We look forward to Dr. Gordon's leadership and participation in building our data science, innovation and research capacity in important social areas at both the School and Ohio University, and building the national reputation of the Voinovich School in this area.
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Samantha Reese joins the Voinovich School as part of financial services team
 
Please join us in welcoming Samantha Reese, who recently accepted an offer to join the Voinovich School as an accountant for the financial services team. She has extensive experience with management, analysis and budget preparation. 
 
Reese previously worked as a fiscal specialist for Gallia County Job and Family Services and had a wide variety of important roles with Holzer Clinic. 
 
She received a B.A. in business administration from Ohio University. 
JOB HIGHLIGHT
AmeriCorps & Rural Action: Ohio Stream Restore Corps   

Location: Appalachian Ohio

Description: There are multiple opportunities to work with Rural Action including Watershed Restoration, Zero Waste, and Environmental Education. To see a list of available positions and apply, click here.

Deadline: Interviews begin April 1, 2016
STUDENT UPDATE  
Application now open for graduate scholarships in solid waste research
  
The Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) is now accepting applications for graduate scholarships in solid waste research. EREF is one of the largest sources of solid waste research funding in the U.S., allocating approximately $1 million annually in research grants and graduate level scholarships.

Scholarship applications will be considered from those who are or will be full-time master's or doctoral students in 2016 and have a clearly demonstrated interest in solid waste management research. Scholarships will be awarded based upon academic performance, professional experience and relevance of one's work to the advancement of solid waste management science.

Award amounts consider the cost of tuition at the recipient's institution and any other funds received. Full scholarships may not be awarded to students who will be receiving full-tuition scholarships from other sources (excluding direct university assistance such as tuition remission or assistantship income), but such students may still be considered for partial awards.

Click here to access the application for the 2016-2017 academic year. The application deadline is May 4, 2016 at 5:00 pm (EST). Click here to learn more about the EREF scholarship program.
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Mark your calendars for the
Spring 2016 CE3 Brownbag Series!
  
CE3 and the Environmental Studies program are pleased to announce the dates of this spring's CE3 Brownbag Lunch Series! Unless otherwise noted, all sessions will take place on Fridays, from 12-1pm in Building 22, Room 221 on The Ridges (haven't been up to The Ridges yet? It's beautiful - check it out!). Free pizza is provided, or you are welcome to bring your own lunch with you. Come hear fantastic people talk about their really cool projects that related to the environment - we hear from OHIO faculty, staff and students, along with alumni and professionals in the field. It's a casual atmosphere where questions and discussion are encouraged. The spring dates are as follows:
  • Friday, Feb 26: Derek Kauneckis
  • Friday, Mar. 11: Environmental Studies student panel
  • Friday, Mar. 25: Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, Executive Director, Ohio's Second Harvest Food Banks
  • Friday, April 8: Vince Messerly, President, Stream + Wetlands Foundation
  • Friday, April 22: It's Earth Day! More info to come!
Questions? Contact Elissa Welch, CE3 Project Manager, at [email protected] or 740.537.0112.
 
 ON THE HORIZON
Ecolunch Seminar Series 
Feb. 17, 11:50 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. 
Irvine 159 

TAD Services Workshop
Feb. 17 & 23, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
More information

Wealth & Poverty Week: "Environmental Justice in Appalachia?"
Feb. 17
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Alden 319

Wealth & Poverty Week: "Small Businesses for Small Towns"
Feb. 18 12 - 1 p.m.
Alden 301U

Student Senate Alumni Society Advocacy Forum
Feb. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse
More information

Spring Film Sustainability Series: Bikes vs. Cars
Feb. 24, 7 p.m.
Athena Cinema
More information 

CE3 Brown Bag
Feb. 26, 12 - 1 p.m
The Ridges, Bldg. 22
Room 221
More information

American Public Works Association Scholarship Deadline
Feb. 26
More information

Balkans Study Abroad Deadline Extended
March 1
More information
 VERBATIM
Voinovich School in the News   
 
"We've really been able to transform the entrepreneurial culture of the region, not only internally but through multiple partnerships."      
 
    
 Dr. Mark Weinberg, Founding Dean of the Voinovich School , as quoted in an interview with WOUB.

Impact & Innovation is a newsletter for the students, faculty and professionals of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.

Have an article idea? Contact Laura Alloway, Voinovich School Director of Marketing and Communications.
 


  Impact & Innovation is written and created by undergraduate students Diana Wiebe, M.C. Tilton, Jasmine Grillmeier and Daniel Kington.
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