University Park, IL,
18
February
2021
|
08:55 AM
America/Chicago

Governors State University to Receive $60,000 NEA Grant

Contact: Zion Banks

Governors State University

Email: zbanks@govst.edu

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. — Governors State University (GSU) recently received a $60,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant to support a project that will examine the importance of the arts in creating a sense of belonging and positive academic outcomes among students of color.

The Research Grant in the Arts  will examine arts participation, a sense of belonging, retention, and other academic outcomes of students.

An interdisciplinary team from Governors State will collaborate with faculty from Northeastern Illinois University to employ a sequential mixed methods approach to study the role of arts participation in shaping overall educational experience.

Governors State researchers participating include Social Work Professors Linda D. Campos-Moreira, Maristela Zell, and Giesela Grumbach, Interdisciplinary Leadership Doctorate Program Director Marlon l. Cummings, and Assistant Director of Research Compliance Anna Bernadska.

 College of Health and Human Services Dean Catherine Balthazar said the collaboration represents Governors State's dedication to improving students’ academic experiences across the university, not just one area of study.

“This project shows the very best of GSU’s interdisciplinary creativity. The collaboration between faculty from such traditionally separate disciplines reflects the innovation GSU brings to benefit our students. I congratulate the team on their vision and success, and look forward to the valuable information we will gain about how best to serve our students,” said Dr. Balthazar.

NEA’s Director of Research & Analysis Sunil Iyengar said the award coincides with the 10th anniversary of the NEA's Research Grants program during a year upended by a global pandemic.

"The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support Governors State University among others that, in a very challenging year, will investigate the value and impact of the arts,'' he said.