At Notre Dame of Maryland University, we define service-learning as working and problem-solving real world issues alongside community members. These interactions provide rich, experiential learning opportunities when coupled with guided reflection, class discussion, and skilled analysis relating to course content.

Service-learning extends education beyond your classroom into the community. If you would like to incorporate service-learning into your courses, ask your academic advisor about service-learning opportunities or reach out to the Office of Service and Community Engagement at ServiceNDMU@ndm.edu.

Service-Learning Courses

Courses with a service-learning component may be offered in any discipline at the undergraduate or graduate level and are noted in the course catalog.

International Service Opportunities

Service Abroad is a four to five week independent summer or winter course that focuses on serving those most vulnerable in other cultures.

It is an opportunity to perfect the balancing of academics, experiential learning, and personal growth experiences while expanding your self-giving.

Learn More about Service Abroad

Upcoming Service-Learning Workshops for Faculty, Staff, and Community Partners

Consultations on course design

Ongoing

Schedule one-on-one consultations or group meetings with a Service-Learning Faculty Fellow or the Office of Service & Community Engagement for hands-on help getting started on new service-learning syllabi, targeted feedback on syllabi-in-progress, and/or help matching potential service-learning courses to community partners.

These consultations will be approximately one-hour, though as many follow-ups as needed can be scheduled. We do ask that you schedule at least one week in advance by contacting Lindsay Chudzik, the Director of Service & Community Engagement, at lchudzik@ndm.edu.

What Is Service-Learning Anyway (and how do I do it?)

Friday, March 10th, 2-4 pm.

This workshop is designed for instructors who are considering teaching service-learning for the first time. In this session, we will discuss strategies for identifying strong community partnerships, outlining what to look for and the types of questions to ask upfront. We also will discuss syllabi design and how to best align service with the learning outcomes of a course. A panel of service-learning professors will discuss a variety of projects and models to serve as a springboard to brainstorm new course ideas. Sample syllabi will be provided. While this workshop is open to individuals outside of NDMU, NDMU faculty who are interested in having a Service-Learning Faculty Fellow mentor can sign up to participate in this program at this time.

Please register by March 1st. For more information, contact Lindsay Chudzik, Director of Service & Community Engagement, at lchudzik@ndm.edu.

Critical Reflection in the Classroom, Community, and Everywhere in Between

Friday, April 21st, 2-4 p.m.

This workshop is designed for instructors who are considering or who are already teaching service-learning courses, as well as staff who facilitate co-curricular service events not tied to the traditional classroom space. This interactive workshop is designed to help faculty and staff create strong reflective prompts that illicit critical reflection. We will model easily adaptable activities that highlight empathy development, identity, course connections, and more.

Please register by April 14th. For more information, contact Lindsay Chudzik, Director of Service & Community Engagement, at lchudzik@ndm.edu.

Service-Learning Partnership Development

Friday, May 12th, 2- 4 p.m.

This workshop is offered to teams of service-learning faculty and their community partners, equipping them with the resources to identify ways to strengthen their collaboration through developing sustainable action plans and roadmaps for the future. Guided reflections will help teams evaluate and adapt based on their shared objectives for the partnership. Community and faculty partners must attend this workshop as a team.

Please register by May 5th. For more information, contact Lindsay Chudzik, Director of Service & Community Engagement, at lchudzik@ndm.edu.

*Small grants will be available for workshop participants who currently teach a service-learning course, faculty who plan to teach a service-learning course in fall 2023, and community partners. These grants can be used for professional development opportunities, including conference participation and workshop attendance. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the spring until funds have been exhausted. Contact Lindsay Chudzik (lchudzik@ndm.edu) for details.