Mission
The Wayne State College Service-Learning program promotes, mobilizes and supports the efforts of our institution, united in strengthening our academic and co-curricular programs through Service-Learning in our communities, state and nation.
About
Service-Learning at Wayne State College began in 1999. In 2012 WSC began noting Service-Learning participation on student transcripts, and in 2013 WSC began listing Service-Learning courses in class schedules.
An average of 500 Wayne State College students participate in Service-Learning projects every semester under the direction of WSC faculty members. Many include annual projects within their course offerings on campus, coordinating the projects in addition to their day-to-day role in educating college students.
About 62% of the 2017 spring graduating class had at least one Service-Learning transcript notation.
Surveys taken after Service-Learning projects are done show that participation in these projects makes a significant, positive impact on the students. For example, 93% reported that the service aspect of a course helped them better understand required course material, and 76% said participation in the service activity helped affirm their career plans.
Academic Service-Learning
Academic service learning integrates service in the community with academic study. Faculty, in partnership with representatives of nonprofit, community organizations, design service learning projects based on two main objectives:
Meeting identified community needs, which helps strengthen the community
Advancing the students’ understanding of course content
Strong reflective components are built into the course to help students consider relationships between their service, the course curriculum, and its impact on their personal values and professional goals.
Co-Curricular Service-Learning
Co-curricular Service Learning differs only with regard to a link to course content. It maintains the service to meet a community need and includes strong reflection and evaluation components. Generally these service activities are directed under the leadership of student organizations and groups.