9.18: Example of WSCC Partnerships- Bradley University
Bradley University is a small, private university in Peoria, Illinois, which includes a variety of degree programs through their College of Education and Health Sciences. The university partners with eight local schools serving high-need student populations, to provide internship and volunteer opportunities for Bradley graduate and undergraduate students working on WSCC projects at the schools. These projects include short or one-time events such as refurbishing a school courtyard, or providing blood pressure screenings and flu-shots at a “Grandparent’s Day” clinic. Longer-term projects include pre-service teachers (student-teachers) integrating health curriculum into reading and writing lessons, immediately followed by PE instruction using fitness stations in the classroom. Ongoing projects included a student nurses’ “Teddy Bear Clinic” for kindergarteners and first graders, menu reviews by nutrition faculty, collaborations with local YMCA after school programs, delivery of anti-bullying curriculum, and other health-promoting programs. Each project addressed different aspects of the WSCC model, and provided valuable experiences for Bradley University students while tapping into the college as a resource for the schools. Over time, these partnerships create a sustainable framework for implementing WSCC goals for surrounding schools (Drake et al., 2018).