Community Wide Service Learning Initiative

WNMU & The Volunteer Center of Grant County

WNMU in collaboration with the Volunteer Center of Grant County has established the Community Wide Service Learning Initiative. The Volunteer Center (TVC) is a designated Community Service Learning Site of the NM Service Learning Network a project of the NM Forum for youth in Community.

Service Learning is …

The principles identified by this network guiding the development of Servcie Learning have been adopted by the WNMU/TVC-Community Wide Service Learning Initiative.

Student Initiative- The aim of the Service Learning Initiative is to develop leadership among students and participants. Assuming the initiative of your service project the students and participants will further develop leadership skills that will draw upon lessons learned in the classroom and from your personal experience.

• What are the community needs you wish to address?
• How does the community need relate to your course lessons?
• What can you provide to meet the community need from what you are learning in the classroom?

Thoughtful Service

• How will the service project give you a deeper understanding of the subject matter of your course and the community need addressed?

• How will the service project engage the community in which the project will take place?
• Is the project one which the community participants support?

Authentic Learning and assessment

• How does the service project expand your understanding of the community need?
• What are the learning goals that will be met by conducting the project?
• How will you measure the success of the project? ( Learning Goals, impact of service, etc)

Reflective Practice

• What means of reflection will you assume?
• Will you have an opportunity to share what you have learned with community participants? How will that be accomplished?
• How will you measure your personal development relevant to the service project?

Sustainable Partnerships

• Is the relationship long term? Is the behavior of individuals and the class as a whole conducive to returning for the same project a following year?