Service Learning Commons^™

Carry On: A Multi-Campus Faculty Perspective On The Barriers And Facilitators To Implementing Service Learning Curriculum During A Global Pandemic, Adrianne Widaman, Kirsten Leisses Tuck

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Service learning (SL) faculty faced substantial and unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore SL faculty perspectives during the crisis. Higher education faculty who taught SL designated courses during 2020/2021 identified and prioritized challenges and strategies to teaching SL courses without direct person contact. A total of 144 unique responses were collected from 16 faculty from 5 universities using the nominal group technique, a qualitative and quantitative method. Highly ranked themes included the emotional burden felt by the faculty, decreased student learning, a lack of faculty time, the need for alternative assignments, and …

The Relationship Between Perceived Institutional Support And Student Experience For Employer Selection, Employee Persistence, And Career Path Among Community-Engaged Faculty And Staff Members, James Morgan Lewing

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the potential relationship between the employment decisions of faculty and staff members who participate in community engagement and their perceptions of organizational support for community engagement. Findings indicated that perceptions of organizational support can influence employment decisions, especially for individuals who participated in community engagement activities as students.

Service Learning Students’ Perceptions Of Citizenship, Audrey Faye Falk

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study examines the conceptions of citizenship held by students engaged in a service learning course. Open-ended responses to instructor-developed surveys were analyzed. Results indicated that students primarily viewed good citizenship in terms of community service; however, their ideas about service were limited to passive kinds of service such as helping others and volunteering, rather than active kinds of service such as community organizing. Results were compared with conceptions of citizenship held by students engaged in another course with a smaller volunteering component. Opportunities for broadening service learning students’ understanding of citizenship are discussed.

A Civic Engagement Agenda For Caribbean Higher Education, Glenn A. Bowen

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Civic engagement programs have become prevalent in higher education in many regions of the world. Interest in engagement has increased at a time when Caribbean countries are strengthening the regional integration movement in response to the demands of globalization. Based on a cross-national assessment, this article describes the manifestations of civic engagement in Caribbean universities and proposes an agenda for institutionalizing the practice. The civic engagement agenda is applicable to higher education institutions elsewhere.

Cultivating Community-Engaged Faculty: The Institution’S Role In Individual Journeys, Eric Malm, Nicholas Rademacher, David Dunbar, Mary Harris, Erin Mclaughlin, Caroline Nielsen

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Campus-community partnerships are increasingly recognized as important parts of curricula and have become central to the missions of many colleges. Yet while the notion of service is becoming more prominent at the institutional level, the number of faculty who are actually teaching community-engaged courses is alarmingly low. This paper addresses the problem of inadequate faculty participation in campus-community partnerships through the case study analysis of the pathways that brought six faculty members from different backgrounds and disciplines into the world of the engaged classroom. From the stories of individual faculty members, a model of involvement emerged that illustrates a common …

The Civic Minded (Post) Graduate: Examining The Long-Range Benefits Of Community-Engaged Service Learning, Catherine Wilkins

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This project seeks to fill gaps in the knowledge about the long-term benefits of undergraduate participation in community-engaged service learning (CESL). A mixed-methods research protocol delivered to graduates of an R1 public university three years after the completion of a CESL senior capstone course observed significant divergences in knowledge and behavioral attributes of civic mindedness. This research methodology could be employed by other scholars to determine if these findings are reproducible.

This Is Why We Do It: Faculty Motivations For Embracing Community-Engaged Pedagogy, Magdalena Denham, Lee M. Miller, Joyce K. Mccauley, Danica Schieber, Taylor L. Morrison, Chuck Drumm

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Institutions of higher education are increasingly highlighting community engagement activities to make the benefits of higher education more visible. The most transformational community engagement is linked to curriculum, so it is faculty who must incorporate community-engaged pedagogy. This content analysis of faculty narratives about community engagement reveals motivations for faculty to engage in this work. These findings connect to social capital theory and suggest a new direction for faculty development efforts to promote community engagement.

Community Engagement In Music Therapy: Reflections From The Field, Jess Rushing, Denise M. Cumberland

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This paper reflects on a music therapy community engagement project that incorporates clinical training, service learning, and community music therapy. Two faculty members and a practicum student in a Midwestern university engaged community members connected to Parkinson’s disease to create a music-based program. We offer a conceptual framework that connects approaches situated within community music therapy (CoMT) qualities and community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles. We share project processes, findings, and recommendations, emphasizing all as equal stakeholders.

Utility Of The Global Engagement Survey (Ges) To Quantitatively Evaluate A Unique Undergraduate Community-Based Global Learning Program, Mathew H. Gendle, Amanda Tapler

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

In this preliminary study, the Global Engagement Survey (GES) was used to assess developmental outcomes in undergraduate students enrolled in a multi-year community-based global learning program. Statistically significant growth was observed on the Civic Efficacy (CE) scale of the GES (p = 0.01). The GES appears to have significant utility in the quantitative assessment of undergraduate community-based global learning programs, even when small sample sizes and pretest ceiling effects exist.

Exploring The Impact Of Community-Engaged Programs On Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes Toward Intellectual Disability, Jennifer L. Jones, Kami L. Gallus, Amber Manning-Ouellette

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Positive outcomes for students have motivated educators to identify effective strategies for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in people with intellectual disability (ID), a minoritized population often excluded from DEI efforts. The current study investigated undergraduate student attitudes toward ID and compared changes in attitudes following participation in one of two community-engaged programs alongside adults with ID. Findings indicate both programs were effective in changing all three components of students’ attitudes: affect, cognition, and behaviors.

Spatializing Community-Based Learning: How A Critical Geography Framework Can Foster Understandings Of Structural Inequality And Egalitarian Relationships, Roseann Liu, Sarah Fischmann, Ashley Hong, Kathleen Melville

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Critical service learning is an approach that works toward social transformation and egalitarian partnerships. However, the ways in which space facilitates or undermines this approach has been largely unexplored. Drawing on a case study from an urban education course, we argue that a critical geography framework can develop students’ understandings of structural inequalities and nurture egalitarian relationships between partners.

Creating Pathways To Success: Lessons Learned From A Multi-Tiered Partnership Grant, Brant Burkey, Hatha Parrish, Mikle Mcbride

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This case study of a California Career Pathways Trust grant, the South Bay Digital Media Arts Consortium, which established key linkages between an urban high school district’s pathway academies to local post-secondary institutions and community industry partners, provides learning lessons for other schools/organizations interested in establishing similar multi-tiered partnership grants. Conclusions are offered for those seeking to engage vulnerable youth in research.

Migration And Integration In Germany – A Multi- And Transcultural, Critical Experiential Learning Approach Toward 21st Century Global Civic Skills, Sabine Hirschauer, Regina Karp, Michele Kekeh

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This two-year quantitative study analyzes students’ experiences during migration experiential learning study-abroad programs in 2017 and 2018 in Munich, Germany. U.S. students worked with German refugee organizations to gain a more comprehensive understanding about the political, social, and cultural complexity of Europe’s current migration debate. Grounded-theorybased, this study’s inferences expand on Dan Butin’s innovative 2015 practice-to-theory critical service-learning approach toward multi- and transcultural adaptability, balanced reciprocity, and social justice.

Pursuing Reciprocity In Engaged Scholarship Partnerships Using Community Sustainability Certification Programs, Elyzabeth W. Engle, Michele W. Halsell

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of sustainability certification programs at the local, state, and national level to highlight the use of policies, programs, and infrastructure to achieve sustainable development outcomes within communities. In this paper, we use examples from Penn State’s Sustainable Communities Collaborative to demonstrate how institutions with community-engaged scholarship programs can use these certification programs to enhance program operation and reciprocity by identifying projects, engaging new disciplines, and improving relevance.

Millennial Generation Faculty: Why They Engage In Service Learning, James Morgan Lewing, Paul Eugene York

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to examine the experiences, motivations, and perceptions of millennial generation faculty members who utilize service learning. Eight faculty members were interviewed, and the three themes evident in the findings were: (a) the role of the undergraduate experience, (b) an alignment with intrinsic motivations, and (c) the perception of organizational fit.

Social And Cognitive Outcomes Of Service Learning: Results From A Pre-Post And Control Group Comparison, Rebecca G. Ryan

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Students in an undergraduate course opted to either complete a service-learning project or write article summary papers over the course of a semester. Analyses revealed a significant increase in aspects of empathy, social responsibility, and community and personal involvement in the service-learning group, but not in the control group. The findings are discussed in terms of the social and cognitive benefits of service learning and considerations for incorporating service learning into a gerontology-related course.

Service Learning For The Port Jefferson History And Nature Center: Senior Capstone Forestry Course, David L. Kulhavy, Daniel Unger, Ryan Grisham, Gary Endlsey

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

A community partnership between the Collins Academy, Jefferson, Texas, and the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, developed a plan to manage the 38-acre Port Jefferson History and Nature Center, located on Big Cypress Bayou. Students used knowledge of the resources, GPS (global positioning systems), ArcGIS 10.4, presentations, and posters to complete the project. The reflection and feedback with the community partners continued throughout the project and as guidance for future work. This partnership instilled in participating students the value of incorporating service learning into development of professional relationships for continued cooperation …

Film As Engaged Learning: A Study On Teaching Civics Through Spanish Culture, Kajsa C. Larson

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

University professors use film as a medium to examine social issues, although little is known about the tangible effects that socially minded films have on viewers. This study examined how combining film studies with a philanthropy project was beneficial to students’ understanding of global social concerns. Survey data showed that with this teaching approach, students increased their awareness of local social needs and nonprofits and had a greater personal interest in community involvement and helping others.

Community-Based Participatory Research, Catherine Stemmans Paterson

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This article investigates community-based participatory research (CBPR) within the framework of service learning and community engagement initiatives within contemporary higher education. It identifies the characteristics of high-quality CBPR, delves into two criticisms of these efforts, and provides ideas for addressing these criticisms.

Measuring College Students’ Community Service Attitudes Validly And Efficiently: Development Of A Short Version Of The Community Service Attitudes Scale, Jody S. Nicholson, Heather Barnes Truelove, Jennifer M. Barton, Robert G. Moulder

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

The current study presents a brief-version of an existing Community-Service Attitudes Scale (CSAS; Shiarella, McCarthy, & Tucker, 2000) that is theoretically grounded, psychometrically sound, and empirically validated. Students (n = 544) participating in courses that required a service- learning component were administered the original CSAS and validation measures. An exploratory factor analysis suggested an eight-factor, 24-item solution with simple structure and good fit indices; a confirmatory factor analysis suggested good model fit, good internal consistency, and construct validity. The CSAS-Brief is an important tool that could help facilitate research studies and experiences related to community engagement in higher education.

Assessing Global Citizenship After Participation In Service Learning In Physical Therapy Education, Mark Drnach, Craig Ruby, Kelley Kluender, Brian Palomba, Marissa Ursick

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Promoting a global perspective has become a recent topic in health care education (Frenk et al., 2010). The idea is to produce graduates who are capable of delivering culturally appropriate services to communities in need, both locally and globally. Various didactic components and pedagogies can be used but the outcome of producing a graduate who acts on that education is unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of service learning on promoting identified behaviors reflective of a global citizen in graduates from Wheeling Jesuit University’s (WJU) Physical Therapy Program. This doctoral program includes service-learning courses that …

Fundraising For Local Nonprofits: Raising Money To Grow Our Roots-Chrysalis Women's Transitional Living, Brent Steven Beckwith

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

This project was a partnership between myself and Chrysalis Women's Transitional Living in Boise, ID. The goal of this project was to raise awareness of the organization in the Boise, Meridian, and Nampa communities as well as the rest of the Treasure Valley. In addition to raising awareness, other goals included raising a financial donation amount of $5,000, item and furniture donations.

Book Club For Communication: Bringing The Four Agreements To A Trauma Recovery Group, Taylor Renee Dobson

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

This service learning project started a book club within the Idaho Community Outreach Behavior Services (COBS) program; a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, that aims to help victims of sex-trafficking get the trauma care they need and helps them with a safer lifestyle and living situation, if necessary. The book The Four Agreements was provided for each woman to read the assigned weekly section, and come to the group each week prepared to discuss what they read and how it relates to them personally. Participation in an open discussion would allow each person to share while also following the theme of the …

Sleep Savvy Student Solutions Blog, Cassandra M. Hinnenkamp

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

This service-learning capstone project, Sleep Savvy Student Solutions Blog, addressed the prevalent issue of insufficient quality sleep among college students. Through this blog, the goal is to educate students about the importance of quality sleep and its direct impact on academic success. By providing valuable insights into the connection between sleep and academic performance, practical recommendations and strategies are offered to help college students achieve better sleep. The project is aimed to empower students with knowledge and tools to optimize their sleep patterns, ultimately contributing to improved overall well-being and academic achievements. A follow-up survey was sent to the blog …

Stigma Of Incarceration And Motivation Of Undergraduate Students For Service-Learning, Kapil Sharma

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

Incarceration can be a long-lasting, stigmatizing life event that significantly impacts one's life and limits ex-offenders in various aspects of their life. The impact of widespread criminal records can obstruct reentry, economic stability, and full participation in society, whether minor, major, old, or new. The study aims to explore the stigma attached to incarceration and the motivation of undergraduate students for Service-Learning. Based on responses from three semi-structured interviews with students interns of the Records Clearance Project of San Jose State University, it was evident that after completing their sentences, ex-offenders come into many barriers that may prevent them from …

A Blog On Building A Backyard Garden, Carrie N. Mccashland

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

My capstone project involved building a backyard garden and writing a blog to include my innovative approach to gardening. In the past few years, there have been disruptions in the food supply chain and the price of food has skyrocketed due to inflation. I can teach people how to grow food their family will enjoy in their own backyard. Fewer people will have to depend on the food provided in the grocery store. People will have a greater knowledge of what they are eating and how it was made. Those people who live in more rural areas will not have …

Creating A Nontraditional Wellness Blog, Tawni M. Rising

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

This service learning project researched sources of shame humans feel about their bodies. So often what we see in the media is curated, seemingly perfect, and fake. I created a non-traditional wellness blog and website called tawnsclaimtoshame.com where I used my background in psychology, biology, anatomy, as well as research, to debunk how culture and the media defines the perfect body. The link for my blog was shared on multiple social media platforms and accessed by many different stakeholders. My blog addresses eating disorders, diet culture, the medicalization of fatness, implicit biases about weight, disparities in sex education, the flaws …

Print3d, A Service-Learning Project For Improving Visually Impaired Accessibility Through Educational 3d Printing, Oscar R. Lozano

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Well-executed service-learning projects are a high-value educational element. However, these projects commonly focus on overused topics and unbalanced executions which can produce the opposite effect to that desired when working with groups of people with functional diversity. PRINT3D is a service-learning project aimed at improving accessibility for people with visual disabilities while helping primary and secondary school students learn basic engineering skills through 3D design and printing. Under the support of the European Erasmus+ Programme, this project brought together nongovernmental organizations, teacher professional development centers, business enterprises, and educational centers to collaborate for two school years. The project activities aimed …

Bas/Ips Student Advisory Committee Internship Course, Serena C. Henry

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Throughout my time as a Multidisciplinary Studies student at Boise State University, I was encouraged to participate in multiple student leadership opportunities, all of which elevated my academic pursuits and positively impacted my educational experience. Through the relationships I’d established with faculty, I was invited to take the lead on a new student initiative for my final capstone project in the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program.

I was responsible for developing a new Student Advisory Committee for the Bachelor of Applied Sciences (BAS) and Interdisciplinary Professional Studies (IPS) programs. The committee will serve as a focus group tasked with providing valuable …

Creating Smiles And Cards For Meals On Wheels, Rhonda L. Carson

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

My capstone project was a service learning project involving Caldwell Meals on Wheels. Students around the Treasure Valley created “thinking of you” cards for those who receive meals from Caldwell Meals on Wheels, to be delivered with their meals. Its purpose was multifaceted. Participating in this project brought awareness to high schoolers about those in the community who are shut-ins. The cards are intended to bring joy and brighten the day to the Meals on Wheels recipients. Three keywords that represent my project are volunteer work, community, and service learning.