Launch Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness

Service-Learning

WHAT IS SERVICE-LEARNING?

Service-learning brings learning alive in exciting new ways inside and outside of the classroom by combining theory with experience and thought with action to transform our students and our communities.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SERVICE-LEARNING?

Community Partners

  • Gain much needed human resources that can be utilized to achieve the organization’s goals
  • Educate students about important issues in the community and adjust any misconceptions
  • Promote the organization’s mission and increase public awareness of key issues
  • Participate in molding today’s volunteers into tomorrow’s civic leaders
  • Build networks with other community organizations and the university/college

 Students 

  • Enhance learning in the classroom by gaining hands-on experience outside of the classroom
  • Understand the relationship between academics and the real-life, professional world
  • Improve and develop vital interpersonal skills that include communication, listening, problem-solving, and leadership skills
  • Experience a professional atmosphere and learn job skills that will prepare participants for a successful career
  • Provide opportunity to experiment with different fields to gauge interest in a specific career path
  • Learn critical-thinking skills as the classroom material is applied to the ‘real world’
  • Meet influential community members and leaders that will expand the participant’s professional network
  • Increase awareness of societal and community issues
  • Introduce participants to diverse cultures and expose them to different perspectives that exist outside of the campus walls

Instructors

  • Increase students’ retention and understanding of the course material by providing them with the opportunity to apply what they are being taught in the classroom
  • Bring a new dimension to classroom lectures and discussion
  • Create more opportunities for research and professional recognition
  • Build strong mutual partnerships within the community, which can promote future collaborative work and networking possibilities

If you have any questions, please contact the CCECC at 434-791-7214.