Marianna Foulkrod got to know faculty and staff at the University of Indianapolis and the larger community as a student. From the start, she was involved in service, research, and making connections. Marianna is one of those people who is always on – always thinking and doing, creating and implementing. She cares deeply about her students and the community and finds creative, meaningful ways to connect them, ways that leave all concerned better.

Marianna has developed a Service-Learning Council and a Service-Learning Cohort, drives the International Symposium on Service Learning, developed a faculty only service learning hub, has developed partnerships with dozens of community agencies, and teaches three courses. She said this is such an exciting time in the field and seeing the impact that this work can have on the institution, our future leaders, the communities we live in, and those far away has been refreshing and rewarding.

Her colleagues say, and I quote, “Marianna seeks out special projects that support and promote the Center’s mission. She has a special talent for bringing people together. She is a highly effective leader. Marianna’s success in building campus and community connections is due to her vision, work ethic, and her passion for service. It’s due to her love of the people – students, faculty, community members – whom she serves. She inspires others to commitment through her joy in her work. “