Service Learning Commons^™

Engaged Service Learning Shapes Students’ Individual Identities, Fostering Community Stewardship, Grace Nelson, Ali Al-Ghaithi, Haley Jessen

Center for Engagement and Community Development

Service learning creates a space for transformative learning to occur, employing a framework that unites practice and theory with reflection. Service learning that gives students a sense of responsibility for outcomes and is perceived as significant enhances student efficacy. This integrative work meaningfully connects students to a deeper understanding of academia, the community, and personal identity. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has a Service Learning Academy (SLA) that facilitates service learning projects. We analyzed qualitative responses of open-ended questions collected from a post-survey given to UNO students enrolled in a service learning course in the spring or fall …