Denise Gifford International Service Learning Fund

The Fund

This fund was established to support student scholarships, program initiatives, travel, faculty engagement, and administration of the International Service Learning program.

The International Service Learning Program provides experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development. This interdisciplinary program contributes to campus internationalization by infusing the classroom with various cultures to prepare students to be more receptive to global and comparative perspectives.

Dr. Gifford is a former Vice President for Student Affairs and and created the International Service Learning program during her tenure at the University of Louisville.

About Dr. Denise Dickerson Gifford

Dr. Denise Dickerson Gifford is the former Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Louisville.  Denise's tenure at UofL lasted from 1996 until 2005. In addition to Vice President Denise served as Director of Housing and Residence Life and  Assistant Vice President for Campus Life.

Denise championed many issues while at U of L but her biggest passion was providing international travel opportunities for students. In 1996 Denise and Dr. J. Price Foster, a Professor from the Justice Administration department, worked together to create an interdisciplinary program that would invite outstanding students to take a course and then conduct service projects in Belize.

Since that first trip hundreds of students have participated in the University of Louisville International Service Learning Program. The program continues to provide students with a interdisciplinary experience and the opportunity to undertake service projects in cities around the globe. There are currently six annual trips to locations including Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central America.

Denise left UofL in 2005 to undertake her own international experience. From 2005 until 2010 she served as Dean of Student Affairs at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates.

Denise is currently the Associate Provost/Dean of Students Widener University.

The Denise Gifford International Service Learning Fund was named after Dr. Gifford in 2009 in recognition of  her commitment to students, International travel, and the Division of Student Affairs.