Providence, RI-Dr. Richard M. Battistoni, professor of political science and public and community service studies at Providence College, recently was selected as the recipient of the McGraw-Hill Award for Scholarship and Teaching on Civic Engagement in Political Science at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. The McGraw-Hill Award recognizes political scientists who advance civic engagement by encouraging undergraduate students to become involved in the community and by raising their awareness, involvement, and participation in politics.

Battistoni has been a leader of community service initiatives for more than 20 years, serving in leadership positions for service groups such as City Year Rhode Island and Habitat for Humanity. Currently, Battistoni serves on several boards and commissions, including the Board of Commissioners for the Rhode Island Service Alliance and the Board of Directors of the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation.  He is also a first-term member of the Lincoln (R.I.) School Committee.

The author of several books and articles, including Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum: A Resource Book for Faculty in all Disciplines (Campus Compact, 2002) and Public Schooling and the Education of Democratic Citizens (Mississippi, 1985),  he also co-edited a book with Dr. William E. Hudson, professor of political science, entitled Experiencing Citizenship: Concepts and Models for Service-Learning in Political Science (American Association for Higher Education, 1997).

Battistoni said his work in the community is reflective of the kind of civic spirit he strives to instill in his students.   The best way for students to raise their political awareness and participation is to move the classroom into the community, he said. "My philosophy is to get students out into the community so they can actually experience civic engagement themselves and reflect on it…Meaningful experience with deep reflection is really the best way to learn," said Battistoni.

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