Faculty Overview and Benefits
Service Learning is a teaching-learning method that integrates community engagement into the curriculum. Some benefits include:
- Discipline content enrichment—connect real world to the classroom instruction
- Student engagement
- Student opportunities to develop critical thinking skills, empathy and a sense of civic responsibility
- Student retention
- Promotion and Tenure support - Service Learning activities can be included in these portfolios
Faculty Institute
The Service-Learning Faculty institute helps faculty members develop an understanding of Service Learning as a pedagogical tool and develop a service learning project for a class. To get started with the institute, faculty members should follow these steps:
- Submit an application. The application for the Institute is emailed to all faculty (FT and PT) toward the beginning of each semester.
- After the application has been approved, faculty will work independently on the modules throughout the semester and will also meet with the service-learning director. The modules and conferences will be completed by the end of the semester in which the faculty member begins the Institute so projects are ready to implement the following semester.
- Upon successful completion of the Service-Learning Faculty Institute, the faculty member will be recognized as a Service-Learning Fellow and will serve as a member of the Internal Advisory team and as a mentor to other faculty exploring service-learning.
Here are a few examples of faculty-led service-learning projects
Student Overview & Benefits
Service Learning is a teaching-learning method that integrates community engagement into the curriculum. Some benefits include:
- Participation in real-world applications of your academic area
- Development of civic responsibility
- Development of leadership skills and self-esteem
- Awareness of community needs
- Opportunities to experience diversity
Independent Service Learning
These are independent service projects that students can volunteer to participate in at the college or within the community. These projects help develop civic responsibility, community awareness and professional skills. Please contact Laura Miller, Director of Service-Learning, for more information.
Community Service
If you are looking for opportunities to serve in Prince George’s County, visit the MNCPPC Volunteer Opportunities site.