Sustainable Service-LearningSuccess Stories at Wayne State College

Defining SustainableThe capacity to endureThe long-term responsible management

of a resource or resources

Research on Sustainability in Service-Learning

Campus Compact. Indicators of EngagementCushman, E. (2002) Sustainable Service Learning Programs.Robinson, G. (2000) Creating Sustainable Service Learning

Programs: Lessons Learned from the Horizons Project, 1997-2000.

Vogel, A., Seifer, S., Gelmon, S. (2010) What Influences the Long-Term Sustainability of Service-Learning? Lessons from Early Adopters.

Common Research FindingsInstitutional mission and strategic plan Resources and infrastructureIntegration into the curriculum course catalog, class schedule, transcript notationHigh level administration supportOrientation opportunities for faculty, students, and

partnersRecognition/celebration – Campus publicity/marketingFaculty roles/rewards/development “Champions”Community role/voice/Evaluation

The ‘P’s of Sustainability

Planning and PreparationPrinciples, Philosophy, and PASSIONPeople and ParticipationPersistence and PracticeProject and PurposePartnerships and PerspectivePromotionProgram

Success Stories at Wayne State College

Please meet the Champions of sustainability at WSCBarbara EngebretsenLaura DendingerMarilyn MudgeWith many thanks to the State Chancellor, Board of Trustees, College President, Vice President of Academics Affairs, Deans, and numerous faculty/staff members, students, and community partners.

Barbara Engebretsen Health & Human Performance

Barbara Engebretsen HHPS“I have been using Service-Learning in some of my classes for many years now. At first it was an attempt to engage students with hands on applications of course material, and to serve others while doing it. But it has become much more. I tend to be a 'big picture' person, who needs to have a context from which my discipline of basic and applied physiology is given meaning. Serving others, being good citizens and translating academic details to big picture understanding, while collaborating with campus and community partners to find solutions to public health and environmental problems gives meaning and energy to what I am doing here. And I am convinced that it makes a difference in student growth as they develop into civic and professional leaders. “

The Bike Project Engebretsen is a great example of

Philosophy and PassionGood health leads to so many positive outcomes.

Student begin bicycling awareness campaign in 20062007-2008 Downtown ‘Main St.” bike racks2008 Soles on Wheels, Earth Day and theNebraska Lied Main Street Award2009-2012 Green Bike and Earth Day2011-2012 Bike sharing/Bike mentors

Fall Fall 2012

Laura Dendinger Business Communication

Laura Dendinger Business

“Using service-learning in the classroom allows me to share my passion for giving back to the community with my students. The students see a real world example of communications in the workplace. We like to meet the client and know that our work will bring about good things for a nonprofit.”

The Non-Profit Work

It begins in the fall 2001

And the winner is…..Dr. Laura Barelman integrated service-learning in herStrategic Communications class in Fall 2002. She has 75students developing fundraising and general communicationpieces for Habitat for Humanity, Haven House and theColumbus Animal Shelter.

Dendinger exemplifies passion and purposeful work, combined with community and curriculum perspective. Serving on boards and committees in the community and on the Service-Learning Advisory Committee since 2004.

Marilyn Mudge -Education

Marilyn Mudge Education

“The service learning component of EDU 430 Literacy Assessment provides students with authentic, yet supervised learning opportunities. Every semester students comment on how much they have learned from administering a variety of assessments and then interpreting the results to provide appropriate instruction. I cannot imagine teaching this course without the service learning activities.”

Literacy Assessments

WSC students enrolled in Marilyn Mudge’s Literacy Assessment courses have been assisting area schools for over a decade by providing needed elementary student assessments. Literally, saving the schools both monetary funds and time, while WSC future teachers receive hands on experience in an authentic classroom setting.Mudge reports, “I have teachers who participated as students now participating as classroom teachers. Almost every semester some former students report using one or more of the same assessments or similar assessments in their own classrooms.”Mudge is a model for persistence, purposeful, and preparation.

Challenges to Sustainability

Competing prioritiesTime, risk, committmentThe match between course goals and

community need (relevancy)TurnoverGrowthFundingBurnout

WSC Service-LearningCHAMPIONS

Birds on Wire

Moral of the story?

Good Intentions

Five Birds and Good Intentions Five birds are sitting on a telephone wire. Two decide to fly south. How many are left? Most people would say three. Actually, all five are left. You see, deciding to fly isn’t the same as doing it.If a bird really wants to go somewhere, it’s got to point itself in the right direction, jump off the wire, flap its wings, and keep flapping until it gets there.So it is with most things. Good intentions aren’t enough. It’s not what we want, say, or think that makes things happen; it’s what we do.

So the key to sustainable Service-Learning is in the doing

ReferencesCampus Compact. (n.d.). Indicators of Engagement.

Cushman, E. (2002). Sustainable service learning programs. College Composition and Communications. 54 (1),40-65

Robinson, G. (2000). Creating sustainable service learning programs: Lessons learned from the horizons project, 1997-2000. American Association of Community Colleges. Project brief, 1-12

Vogel, A., Seifer, S. Days, K. (2010). Mazimizing the long-term sustainability of service-learning: Lessons from a study of early adopters. Community-Campus Partnerships for Health. Presentation

Vogel, A., Seifer, S., Gelmon, S. (2010). What influences the long-term sustainability of service-Learning? Lessons from early apopters.Michigan Journal of Community Service-Learning 17 (1), 59-76.

Questions?Thank You