As an advocate for young people in classrooms and communities, Ben Kirshner, associate professor of education at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, has received the 2016-17 Chase Faculty Community Service Award.
The Chase Faculty Community Service Award is presented annually to a University of Colorado system-wide faculty member who provides exceptional service to the community. An advisory council recommends an award-winner to CU President Bruce D. Benson, who bestows the honor, which includes a $10,000 grant sponsored by an endowment from JPMorgan Chase through the CU Foundation.
Kirshner is an internationally recognized scholar of youth development; community-based, participatory research; youth activism; and educational policy and the founder and faculty director of groundbreaking CU Engage: Center for Community Based Learning and Research.
“He is not only improving the lives of young people, but his approach involves young people as partners and citizens in working to improve their communities,” his nominators wrote. “His work exemplifies the integration of education and civics toward humanitarian goals.”
Kirshner was honored on Friday, Oct 4 at the Community Service Award Reception at the CU Boulder Heritage Center.