SPOTLIGHT

Larine Y. Cowan
Make a Difference Award

The Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Award was presented to ESLARP Director Laura Lawson and FAA Dean Robert Graves earlier this month during the 24th Annual Celebration of Diversity breakfast on November 11, held at the I Hotel. Presenting the award to ESLARP was Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Robert Easter, and Menah Pratt-Clarke, Interim Assistant Chancellor and Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

 ESLARP in Action Blog

Vicki Eddings

Vicki Eddings

Working with the East St. Louis Action Research Project since 1999 has given me the opportunity to learn much about community development. With a background in financial management I moved into this position with a bit of hesitation because of the direction it would take me. I soon found that working with students, faculty and residents was a unique combination that worked well for me.

Variety is definitely the spice of my position. In 2007, I joined Paul Adams and 3 graduate students on the initial fact-finding mission to São Tomé, West Africa, to investigate the possibility of collaboration with NGOs and government officials and to begin setting up a computer technology center at the National Library. I’m pleased to report there have been a few successful faculty/student trips to Sao Tome since our initial visit. (Visit the São Tomé website)  

My charge within ESLARP is to maintain the ESLARP business office, coordinate the faculty, staff and graduate students  and facilitate Outreach Weekends in East St. Louis, serve on the ESLARP Campus Advisory Committee and assist faculty and students in their efforts with the residents of East St. Louis, Springfield and São Tomé.