Lessons from a Novice: How to Build Successful Service Learning Projects

• In Event: TLC at APSA: Civic Engagement: Learning by Doing

Abstract

As part of this paper and presentation, I relate how, during 2 years of teaching Intro to Public Policy and Administration while a graduate student, I built over 30 service learning projects where my students volunteered with local or out-of-state 501(c)3s, lawyers offices, and government entities to complete projects as varied as constructing bylaws for new non-profits (including one now being approached by the Special Olympics), petitioning city/county boards for construction projects, and even securing a $1 million grant for an anti-bullying organization. As part of my paper and presentation, I guide interested colleagues through several key components of creating a successful service learning assignment, including the process of securing partner entities for the projects, issuing student groups memo assignments that utilize the policy analysis process to analyze project effectiveness, and troubleshooting common student and/or organization point-of-contact issues, to name a few examples.

Author

• Erin Victoria Kay Rowland, University of Tennessee, Knoxville