Service Learning

Walsh University is committed to being a Catholic University of distinction, providing each student with the educational experiences, resources, and opportunities necessary to foster critical thinking, effective communication, spiritual growth, and personal, professional and cultural development. Walsh University is dedicated to educating its students to become leaders in service to others through a values-based education.

Office of Service Learning Mission Statement

The Office of Service Learning's mission is to facilitate mutually beneficial service learning opportunities among Walsh and the local community. This is accomplished by supporting faculty as they develop and incorporate service learning into courses and by understanding community needs via established relationships with local organizations. Based upon this mission, the following are the goals of service learning at Walsh University:

• To enhance course learning objectives via application of theory to practice
• To help meet community needs identified by the community
• To foster civic responsibility amongst students
• To encourage students to think critically about current issues in our society
• To help students experience Walsh's mission by becoming "leaders in service to others"

Walsh's definition of Service Learning

"Service learning means a method under which students learn and develop through thoughtfully organized service that: is conducted in and meets the needs of a community and is coordinated with an institution of higher education, and with the community; helps foster civic responsibility; is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students enrolled; and includes structured time for students to reflect on the service experience."

- Adopted from the American Association for Higher Education Series

How is service learning different from....

Volunteerism: Students engage in activities where the emphasis is on service for the sake of the beneficiary or recipient

Internship: Students engage in activities to enhance their own vocational or career developmentPracticum: Students work in a discipline-based venue in place of an in-class course experience

Cress, C.M., Collier, P.J., Reitenauer, V.L., & Associates. (2005). Learning through serving: A student guidebook for service-learning across the disciplines. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing.