The Office of Service Initiatives was created in 1998 to cultivate community service and service-learning opportunities designed to integrate service with the entire learning experience. This office was realigned and became part of the Center for Career & Service-Learning (CCSL) in 2004. The Center for Career and Service-Learning (link to section 7.8) provides faculty development, technical assistance, and material support for service-learning at the College. The Center for Career and Service Learning may be reached at 410-532-5387.

Service-Learning Courses

Service learning is an important part of the mission of College of Notre Dame. Courses that incorporate service-learning provide students with the opportunity to learn subject matter in new ways. Service-learning courses link course content to service activities/projects designed with community partners to address community needs. Learning extends beyond the classroom to the community: interaction with diverse groups, real life problem-solving, and multi-faceted situational complexities provide rich learning opportunities when coupled with guided reflection, class discussion, and skilled analysis relating to course content.

Community Partners

Community-Based Organizations that partner with the College are critical to the success and sustainability of service-learning. Effective service-learning requires close working relationships with partners to ensure an appropriate balance between community needs and student learning. Careful communication between the College and its partners helps ensure that organizational and logistical expectations are clear so that all parties benefit from the service-learning experience.

CCSL seeks to develop and sustain collegial relationships with community-based organizations both individually and through active participation with consortia, networks, and community coordinating groups.

While the College has multiple points of entry for community organizations, CCSL is available to assist individuals and organizations seeking volunteers or service-learning assistance.

Service-learning courses may be offered in any discipline at the undergraduate or graduate level, in the Women’s College or Weekend College. Courses offered with a service-learning component are so noted in the course schedule book.Students are encouraged to discuss service-learning interests with faculty members, and contact the Office of Service Initiatives for resources or technical assistance.

Service-Learning Partners

Service-Learning Partners are community-based nonprofit organizations that work closely with the College to provide quality service-learning. Service-learning partners are involved in developing plans, designing service activities, orienting and/or training students, providing site-based supervision, and evaluating service-learning effectiveness from the community perspective. Partners work closely with College faculty members to ensure the viability and success of service-learning. Nonprofit organizations interested in developing a service-learning partnership are invited to contact CCSL at 410-532-5387.

Service-Learning Awards

Awards for outstanding commitment to service-learning were given to a faculty member and a student for the second time in 2007-2008. Dr. Joanne Gladden became the second recipient of the faculty award.  Steffani McQuerry received the student service-learning award.

International Service-Learning Course

The possibility of adding an international service-learning course is being considered. This would be in partnership with the SSND and their convents around the world.

Service Learning Faculty For The 2006 -2007 Academic Year