Waylon Grady Cape and James Rolfe’w, Student Volunteers
Dr. Angela Mensah is taking her students beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Communicating Body Image is a service-learning course that allows students the opportunity to mentor at-risk youth and advocate for body positivity and self-worth. In collaboration with Judge Diane Warren and her team at Washington County Circuit Court, this program is in its fourth season. Mensah is devoted to developing service-learning opportunities for students, which is proven by her recent National Communication Association Activism and Social Justice Division’ Pedagogy Award for her leadership in creating the Communicating Body Image course.
Finding it essential to highlight the profound impact the program has on the students involved, Mensah says the program would not be possible without the exceptional students who volunteer at the library, “whose empathy and dedication to the well-being of the youth participants are truly inspiring. Their contributions are making a substantial difference in the lives of at-risk youth.”
Girls Group Training with Potter’s House
The program’s intimate size reflects the significant commitment required from the students, who willingly sacrifice an evening away from their studies and social activities. What they gain, however, extends far beyond academic credit. Mensah finds that students acquire critical transferable skills, including workplace relationship management, project planning, and the ability to think critically and adapt when unexpected challenges arise. “Student dedication and commitment extends beyond the classroom,” Mensah adds, “as they express a deep desire to maintain connections with the youth participants even after the course concludes.” She shares confidence that this experience leaves a lasting impression on the students who work with the youth, potentially guiding those who find the work especially meaningful towards service-oriented careers. “Perhaps most importantly,” Mensah states, “the program offers students an opportunity for introspection. As they teach the girls about body image, they often find that these lessons resonate with their own lives, resulting in a truly transformative experience.”
Madison McBride (pictured left)
The Communicating Body Image course and Uark Girls Group program continue to shine a light on the positive impacts and ever-lasting impressions that communication can accomplish.
Students in the course have noted it is a life-changing experience. Madison McBride, who is currently in her second year in the MA program, states, “Working with the UARK Girls Group was one the most rewarding experiences of my life. I appreciated how it enabled me to use my coursework in a practical way to better my community.” The class stood out from others, McBride adds, “Rather than engaging with scholarly concepts only in the classroom, I was able to use the skills I learned to teach and improve the lives of those around me. The group is doing really important work that is inspiring, effective, and honestly fun!”
Dr. Angela Mensah (left) and Judge Dianne Warren (right) at Celebration Day Spring 2024
Celebration Day marks the last meeting of the Uark Girls Group program each semester. The volunteers and youth participants reflect on the lessons the group taught them. Student volunteers, youth participants, parents, and faculty alike walk away with a new perspective and inspiration fostered by the sense of community and compassion felt by everyone involved. Mensah says the collaboration with the Washington County Court House remains invaluable, and she is always thrilled by their participation in the celebration day each semester.
“Angela has been instrumental in fostering service initiatives at Fulbright College, and I am exceedingly proud of her notable achievements during her tenure,” said Matthew Spialek, chair of the Department of Communication. “Her research endeavors stand as a testament to her dedication and skill.”
Celebration Day Cake
Mensah’s creative teaching has been praised by the university, too. She was named the 2024 recipient of the Fulbright College OMNI Center for World Peace & Justice Faculty Award. The OMNI Center for World Peace and Justice Faculty Award was created to recognize exceptional research, teaching and service by faculty who promote the studying and teaching of peace and justice and the practice of nonviolence, conflict resolution and diplomacy.
Service Learning Students
Mensah is a scholar of mass communication theory and research who is especially interested in exploring the intersections of body image and African American women through her work in both the Department of Communication and the African and African American Studies Program.
Mensah has published several articles in outlets such as The Journal of Intergroup Relations and has presented at conferences across the globe, like those held by the National Binge Eating Disorder Association, the Central States Communication Association, and the National Communication Association.