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. In Fall 2008, The Center for Career and Service-Learning was renamed to The Academic and Career Enrichment Center. ACE provides faculty development, technical assistance, and material support for service-learning at the College. The Academic and Career Enrichment Center may be reached at 410-532-5387 or ace@ndm.edu.

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.

ACE 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, ACE 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 ACE 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 ACE at 410-532-5387.

Service-Learning Awards

Awards for outstanding commitment to service-learning are given to a faculty member and a student at each year's Notre Dame Day celebration since the award's inception in 2007.

February 2007
Faculty: Sr. Kathleen Marie Engers, Communication Arts
Student: Bridget Smith

February 2008
Faculty: Dr. Joanne Gladden , Nursing
Student: Steffani McQuerry

February 2009
Faculty: Dr. RaeAnn Wuestman, Education
Student: Rebecca Jones ‘09

April 2010
Faculty: Dr. Sally Wall, Psychology
Student: Michelle Santos ’10

International Service-Learning Course

An Internation Service-Learning Course has been added successfully and two students completed service abroad during the summer of 2008 in Peru, partnering with the SSND convent in Peru. Other opportunities around the world are now being considered.