Jessica's Project
A Service Learning Initiative from St. Philip's College
Upcoming Events:
Jessica's Project Spring Symposium
Promoting Gallbladder Health
in a Diverse Community
Thursday, April 17, 2025
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Free and Open to the Public
Sutton Learning Center (SLC), Bowden Alumni Center, 3rd Floor
and simulcast to the community via Zoom:
The Story of Jessica's Project:
In March 2012, Jessica, niece of the Chair of Natural Sciences, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at age 10. A week later, the chairperson was conducting a faculty observation in Dr. Nfor’s Nutrition class and shared the details with his class. Dr. Nfor immediately assigned the groups in the class various tasks to help Jessica and her family understand and cope with this diagnosis. The class researched the disease and made a video to send to Jessica. Jessica responded with a video of her own, asking more questions. At the end of the semester, the class hosted an information session and presented Jessica with two large baskets of Gluten-free foods as well as a buffet of a variety of foods. Jessica said, “Can I eat ALL of those things?”
From that chance beginning ‘Jessica’s Project’ has continued each semester, tackling a specific nutritionally related disease or disorder. The project has grown to include other courses within Natural Sciences, other departments, and several community organizations.
- To offer instructors and students tools to engage with the community
- Organize symposium every semester on related subject
- Provide online tools and resources through our partners to assist educators
- Train instructors to incorporate civic engagement learning into their course designs.
- Train students to conduct professional research and present posters during the symposium.
- Create an academic co-op to foster this model of teaching
- Teach through Problem-based/Case study analysis of medical conditions
- Raise Awareness of the highlighted condition
- Education and Prevention
- Share Resources
- Community Involvement
- Active and Service Learning
- Application of concepts outside the classroom through research and collaboration
Contact Information
| Founder and Project Coordinator: Solomon Nfor, Associate Professor, LVN, B.S M.S, M.S., Ph.D Civic Engagement Trainer Founder PPFA Foundation snfor@alamo.edu 210-486-2754 MLK Science Bldg (SCI) 206F |
Committee Chair: Greg Steel, Faculty - Dept. of Kinesiology Civic Engagement Advocate gsteel@alamo.edu 210-486-2470 William Allen Hudgins Health & Wellness Facility |