What is Service Learning?

Service-learning is a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students (a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of personal values and civic responsibility.

The major goal of Service Learning is to raise self-consciousness and awareness about relevant social/social justice issues, while promoting student involvement in addressing these issues.

• The student collaborates with a community partner for 40 hours through the semester.
• The Service Learning experience addresses a community-identified need (such as food security, affordable housing, human rights, youth asset building, intercultural connections, climate change, etc.) and promotes well-being and/or sustainability.
• The Service Learning project makes a clear positive community impact, often by increasing community capacity, reducing barriers, or building community.
• The Service Learning experience supports students in achieving specific learning outcomes, including academic learning and civic/community learning. The student demonstrates their learning through a project or reflection.