Welcome to the . . . Academic Service-Learning/ Civic Engagement Program

1. Welcome to the . . . Academic Service-Learning/ Civic Engagement Program St. Louis Community College – Meramec Campus Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world… it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

2. What Is Service-Learning? • Service-Learning Is … • Students doing community service connected to Meramec academic courses • Students assisting with local community needs and acquiring skills along the way • Students developing a sense of civic responsibility Cornerstone students organize a supply drive for Nurses for Newborns Business students bring in 4,500 lbs of canned goods for Circle of Concern Architecture students pitch designs for Meramec’s Child Care Center

3. Program Involvement 2008-2009 • During 2008-2009 our program included: • 1,913 students . . . • served a total of 10,702 hours . . . • at 65 agencies . . . • valued at $208,835!

4. How Do Students Benefit From Service-Learning? • They enhance academic learning through real world experiences. • They explore career options and build their resume. • They develop leadership and communication skills. • They connect service to civic responsibility.

5. Preparation is the time when students and teachers identify a community need, conduct research, relate learning objectives and make necessary preparations for the service activity. • Service is the actual service activity. This service must be meaningful and address a real need in the community. It also must enhance the student’s educational experience • Reflection is the activity which provides an opportunity for the students to develop new understanding, skills and knowledge from their service experience. • Recognition/Demonstration is the time when students share their knowledge and accomplishments.

6. Service-Learning Is Connected To Course Work . . . • Accounting • Anthropology • Architectural Technologyrt • Biology • Business Law • College Orientation • Communication • Early Care & Education • English As A Second Language • English Comp • History • Interior Design • Leadership Studies • Physical Therapy Assistant • Political Science • Psychology • Legal Studies • Math • Nursing • Sociology • Spanish • Teacher Education

7. Service-Learning Is Connected To Campus Themes . . . • Older Adults • – honoring and caring for your elders • Hunger and Homelessness • – reducing hunger and increasing food security • Environment and Community Gardens • – improving the environment in the region • Literacy and Diversity • – expanding minds through reading, writing an storytelling • Civic Responsibility • – developing informed, thoughtful and active citizens • Bridges to Healthy Communities • – improving community health

8. Theme: Share a Story • – the improvement of literacy Robinson Elementary School Academic Service-Learning Meramec Communication students participate in a Read-A-Story activity (right) ESL students do a cultural exchange with Robinson Elementary School students (left).

9. Hunger AwarenessThroughout November • 11/2-11/20 – Campus-wide Food Drive • Accounting and Business help organize • $1,770 from the Empty Bowls Luncheon • Ceramics makes 200 bowls • Hunger 101 Simulation

10. Theme: Bridges to Healthy Communities • – improving community health Cancer Awareness Day Campus-wide Service-Learning • Students learn about preventable cancers from organizations specializing in skin, breast, testicular, throat and lung cancers. • A mammogram mobile is available for screenings.

11. Theme: Environment and Community Gardens • – improving the environment in the region Simpson Lake Clean-Up Academic Service-Learning • English classes enjoy the outdoors while making a difference. They then write a composition about their “hands on” experience of clearing invasive Honey Suckle at Simpson Lake . . . learning while serving.

12. Theme: Older Adults • – honoring and caring for your elders Crown Center Senior Living • English Comp Students visit residents at Crown Center retirement community during the course of the semester to make new friends and learn more about their lives. Academic Service-Learning • The residents are invited to the students’ Final Exam to hear what students have pulled together about their lives. Students used PowerPoint, print media, and even video. • Each presentation included a brief bio and answers to questions like, “What was the most important historical event in your life?” and • “What advice would you share with today’s generation of college students?

13. Theme: Civic Responsibility • – developing informed, thoughtful and • active citizens • Campus-wide effort by students to encourage peers to register to vote. • Students are given class credit for serving as Election Judges, bringing their much needed computer skills to the polls as Missouri moves to new voting technology. • PeaceJam Conferences provide college students with an opportunity to study alongside Nobel Laureates to extend their work into the community. Constitution Day! September 17th, 2009

14. Theme: Civic Responsibility • – developing informed, thoughtful and • active citizens Service-Learning . . . Connects To Civic Engagement/Citizen Websites . . . Issue Advocacy:  Where do I begin? Where do I Stand? Where does my Community Stand? What?!  Now THAT ticks me off! United States Government Missouri State Government Local Government

15. Spring Break 2010 – New Orleans a service trip to rebuild homes and lives

16. Spring Break 2010 – New Orleans a service trip to rebuild homes and lives

17. Work Study Program • Earn money for college and build your resume, all while serving your community. • Serve your Community • Work for a food pantry • Tutor • Assist the elderly • And more! Contact Mike Smith Financial Aid Manager (314) 984-7652 And Donna Halsband Coordinator of Service-Learning/Civic Engagement (314) 984-7893

18. Let’s Get Started . . . • A visit to our website gives you: • Information about agencies • Forms you will need • Calendar of Events • And more . . . • http://www.stlcc.edu/ServiceLearning