Learning to serve and serving to learn
Each semester, hundreds of Wayne State College students participate in service-learning projects under the direction of WSC faculty, and some projects are led by student groups and organizations. Service-learning projects are designed to meet community needs and advance your learning. Surveys taken after service-learning projects are done show that participation in these projects makes a significant, positive impact on students. In fact, more than 94% of students reported that the service helped them better understand course material, and 92% said participation in the service activity helped affirm their career plans. Overall, more than 96% of students would encourage others to complete service-learning projects.
Benefits of participating in service-learning
- Engage in career-affirming experiences
- Participate in resarch and conference opportunities
- Develop relationships with your peers, community partners, and faculty
- Enhance your communication skills and understanding of a subject matter
- Develop a sense of belonging and connectedness
- Show what you know
- Ron Holt Civic Engagement Award opportunity with $1,000 scholarship

The best part of Service-Learning classes is that I get so much more out of those classes that will stay with me much longer than a well-rehearsed lecture. Being involved in Service-Learning projects made me feel good about myself and good about helping my community. Being a good citizen is something that was ingrained in me as a child and something that I will continue into my adult life.
Taylor Ference
Loup City, Nebraska
Majors: Agribusiness, Management, Marketing



The best part of Service-Learning classes is that I get so much more out of those classes that will stay with me much longer than a well-rehearsed lecture. Being involved in Service-Learning projects made me feel good about myself and good about helping my community. Being a good citizen is something that was ingrained in me as a child and something that I will continue into my adult life.


Taylor Ference
Loup City, Nebraska
Majors: Agribusiness, Management, Marketing
Helping the Community
Service-learning makes a difference
Through service-learning projects, students at Wayne State contribute more than $250,000 per year to the region in community service. For these services, Wayne State College has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll each year since 2010. We are one of only six colleges in Nebraska to be named to the Honor Roll in any category.
37
projects
completed
2023-24
1,169
students served
the community
2023-24
11,477
hours donated
by students
2023-24
$355,787
total value in
regional service
2023-24
Service-learning projects
Some of our projects recur annually. These include the Star Party at Ike’s Lake in Wayne, which provides astronomy lessons to the community, and providing early childhood education assistance to the local Head Start preschool program. Other projects occur as needed, at the request area organizations.
Recent projects include:
- Developing math lessons for young children
- Establishing a clothing swap for students
- Literacy assessments for elementary school children
- Conducting free health screenings for the community
- Designing a safe room for Haven House
- Set design for the local community theatre
- Digital imaging and photo restoration for the Wayne Historical Society
- Mentoring and curriculum development for special education students
Recent service-learning projects



Ron Holt Civic Engagement Award
For more info, contact:
Lisa Nelson
Director of the Service-Learning Program
402-375-7182
[email protected]
Dr. Jean Karlen (emeritus)
Service-Learning Consultant
402-375-7042
[email protected]
Service-Learning Advisory Committee
- Dr. Laura Dendinger - Professor, Business
- Dr. Barbara Engebretsen - Professor, Exercise Science
- Dr. Jean Karlen - Professor Emeritus, Sociology
- Josh Piersanti - Associate Professor, Art
- Dr. Todd Young - Professor, Physics and Astronomy