Professors Jay and Meg Ashman of UVM's Department of Community Development and Applied Economics have been honored with the 2009 "Excellence in Community-Based Teaching" award by Vermont Campus Compact. Presented at a conference on April 1, 2009, this award recognizes a faculty member who has made public service an integral part of their teaching, to the benefit of both students and community. Founding faculty directors of the Belize Semester Abroad in Sustainable Development, the Ashmans were honored as a team for their long-term dedication to crafting experiences that make a meaningful impact on the local community and have a lasting impact on student learning. In addition to their work in Belize, Jay has been involved in programs in St. Lucia and Meg regularly teaches her strategic writing class as a service-learning course with partners in and around Burlington. As one student said of the Ashmans, "I have never before worked with professors as committed to their program and to their students…my time studying in Belize would not have as much meaning if it were not for the support and guidance I received from Jay and Meg." For more information regarding University of Vermont award winners and finalists, contact The Office of Community-University Partnerships and Service-Learning at 656-0095. For more information regarding the VCC Gala contact Amy Gibans McGlashan, VCC Executive Director at (802) 443-2510 or agibansm@middlebury.edu. Vermont Campus Compact is a statewide consortium of 22 college and university presidents and their institutions committed to creating a flourishing democracy. VCC presidents believe that through sustained and creative student, faculty and institutional engagement with communities, higher education can help prepare tomorrow's civic leaders while strengthening Vermont communities and improving the lives of Vermonters. VCC facilitates individual, institutional and community growth by connecting people and ideas and action.