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.

Larry M. Harding Award

Do you know a Central Piedmont employee who best exemplifies excellence as an educator and who has rendered outstanding service to the community? If so, please nominate that person to receive the Larry M. Harding Award. Nominations are accepted until the end of June.

Please submit all nomination forms to Dena Shonts at dena.shonts@cpcc.edu. If you have any questions, please call extension 6558.