Recently, I sat down with Ms. Cate Kaluzny, Coordinator of Service-Learning, at
The story I wrote below will run in the NSCC student newspaper, The Pennon, in February 2010. After being approached by Ms. Dana Lyford, ex-contributor for this Blog and now my MACC *
NSCC’s service-learning program is going into its ninth year. The program started with a just handful of faculty members, has now grown quite a bit; with 50 faculty members on board and 400 students participating in service-learning activities in their communities every semester.
If student service-learning participation at NSCC were added up, the tally would be well over 20,000 hours of service. Last academic year alone students completed 5,000 hours of service.
With all that written, you may be asking: “Okay, what is service-learning?”
Service-Learning, for many, has been an experimental form of teaching and learning, because these classes are not taught entirely in the traditional sense. There are parts of the course where students are learning in their communities. Not within the walls of the classroom
The service being performed always has relevance to the course. Students are assessed or graded, through reflection, with a follow up paper on their experiences with service, but not always.
According to Cate Kaluzny, NSCC service-learning coordinator, “Students can reflect by creating artwork, participating in discussion groups, and using online methods.” Reflection is absolutely essential to service-learning. These courses give students a deeper understanding of the course their taking and its subject matter.
Take for instance, Professor Linda Bassett’s American Cuisine course provides, an excellent example of service-learning, nine of her culinary students volunteered at
The staff at Between/Inn Transition were grateful for students’ help; likewise students were able to expand their knowledge of cooking American Cuisine.
Another example, Professor Kathy Yanchus’ Reading Two course travelled to Stewart School in Topsfield, Mass., last semester to read stories in front of 2nd graders.
NSCC students engaged children in discussion and lead activities related to topics on the books they’d read. Students performed a great community service, while at the same time enhancing their reading skills.
Service-Learning not only compliments the classroom, but transcends it, offering students benefits outside of their academics. At the beginning of each semester Kaluzny visits classes to communicate potential benefits.
Such benefits from service include: building social capital, becoming civically engaged citizens, active-real life experience. Maybe even help a student find their passion in life.
“It doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes students find their passion in working with a specific population or a specific setting,” said Kaluzny.
One thing is certain, volunteer work can definitely give direction to those uncertain as to what career path they want to take; moreover, service-learning helps narrow down choices.
It’s not a guarantee students will always find their passion when doing service, but it will definitely give them life experience and direction.
During Kaluzny’s classroom visits she encourages students to place volunteer and service-learning on resumes/transfer applications.
“This tells potential employers or admission people at a four year school that you have work experience, but it all tells them something about your character, that you are willing to give of your time, your skills, and your heart to help others,” says Kaluzny, further noting, volunteering gives job experience, such experience as: people, time management, and organizational skills.
With as many faculty members placing a service-learning component in their course these days, there’s a good chance most students will end up in one of those classes during their time on campus.
“When you do, I encourage you to embrace the opportunity and learn from it,” said Kaluzny.