Service-Learning

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Last Updated: May 05, 2026, 02:43 PM

Service-learning is an effective pedagogy for enhancing academic learning, retention, and civic efficacy.  The Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism offers a variety of resources for faculty and staff who want to start or improve efforts to engage students in community-based learning.

CSLV Services and Resources

  • Consultation for
    • incorporating service-learning into a course
    • developing effective reflections
    • developing community-based research
  • Workshops on service-learning for groups of faculty
  • Visits to the classroom or orientations to tell students or faculty about community needs and organizations
  • Civic engagement and service-learning library
  • List of screened community partners
  • Risk assessment with potential community partners

Need something else? Just ask! The Center wants to make service-learning easy for you and effective for your students. 

Wingspread Principles of Good Practice for Combining Service and Learning

The Wingspread principles support sound educational programs. These practices effectively combine service and learning. Good practice:

  • Engages people in responsible and challenging actions for the common good.
  • Provides structured opportunities for people to reflect critically on their service experience.
  • Articulates clear service and learning goals for everyone involved.
  • Allows for those with needs to define those needs.
  • Clarifies the responsibilities of each person and organization involved.
  • Matches service providers and service needs through a process that recognizes changing circumstances.
  • Expect genuine, active, and sustained organizational commitment.
  • Includes training, supervision, monitoring, support, recognition, and evaluation to meet service and learning goals.
  • Ensure that the time commitment for service and learning is flexible, appropriate, and in the best interests of all involved.
  • Is committed to program participation by and with diverse populations.

Taken from Porter Honnet, E., and Poulsen, S. Principles of Good Practice for Combining Service and Learning. Racine, WI: Johnson Foundation, 1989.