Information for Service-Learning Faculty and Staff

Service-learning enables students to put theory into action and meets two of the Critical Core competencies: Critical Thinking and Personal Growth and Development. Students earn academic credit for showing learning and growth during a reflection component built into your course. Service-Learning staff is always available to assist you in any way — please do not hesitate to reach out to the coordinator at your campus.

How Incorporating Service-Learning in Your Courses Can Help You as a Faculty Member

• Faculty can incorporate service-learning into their PDP including community engagement.
• Faculty are given the opportunity to network with non-profit agencies in the community through Volunteer Fairs, Community Partner Breakfasts, and other Service-Learning sponsored events and activities.
• Faculty are offered opportunities to attend professional development opportunities through Service-Learning including the annual Pace conference at Elon University.
• Faculty partnerships through service-learning are highlighted in Service-Learning newsletters and annual reports that are shared throughout all of Central Piedmont and the local Charlotte Community.

How long it takes for you to incorporate service-learning into your courses depends on how you choose to incorporate service-learning, if you make it mandatory or optional, and what type of reflection you require for your students to earn their grade. Please consult with your Service-Learning Coordinator at your campus to learn more. Complete Service-Learning 101 in order to learn more about service-learning as an experiential learning tool, how the Service-Learning Center can support the development of your service-learning curriculum, and how service-learning contributes to student retention and completion. This is offered in an online format for one hour of PD credit.

The Service-Learning Center offers the following services to faculty interested in incorporating service-learning into their curriculum:

• Schedule and structure student orientation sessions where students will receive materials and on-line resources that include the following: an overview of the process, placement site information, forms to be completed, and student expectations.
• Recommend organizations based upon course learning objectives. Staff will consult with faculty on site selection, student orientation, reflection activities, the development of individual service opportunities, and assessment/evaluation of the program.
• Ensure students complete the necessary paperwork to be enrolled in the Service-Learning program, help the student find the proper placement (within the course objectives), and contact the organization.
• Manage and maintain a database of participating students and provide periodic reports including hours completed and current placement sites.
• Develop and support co-curricular and extra-curricular service activities.
• Maintain a collection of articles, books, resources, syllabi, and pamphlets pertaining to service-learning and related topics. Items may be borrowed via campus mail or pick-up. Contact the Service-Learning Center at service.learning@cpcc.edu for availability.