Successful Service Learning Fostering Social Justice at a Community College

• In Event: 3423 - Teaching and Learning Symposium Roundtable
  In Informal Discussion Roundtable: Table 2: Teaching About and Within Inequality

Abstract

Often students attending a community college are low income and otherwise disadvantaged. These disadvantages often lead to feelings of disempowerment and a lack of engagement in academia and the community. Service Learning connects student to organizations and groups fighting for social justice in the community, and enables students to develop their own powerful voices on issues important to them. Service Learning strengthens students’ academic success, builds their resume and earning potential, and creates a community of support and success between students and their society. Our students regularly state that their service learning experience built their self-confidence and their determination to complete their education, along with many other benefits.
In this workshop, we will showcase our service learning efforts including how service learning 1) empowers students and creates hope/positivity, 2) helps students receive scholarship and job offers directly linked to their service learning experiences, 3) strengthens student understanding of the subject matter, 4) builds friendships, and 5) connects students to needed resources.
Participants will leave with specific ideas on 1) how to easily incorporate service learning into their classes, 2) how to gain student support for service learning, 3) how to make service learning flexible enough for all students to successfully participate, 4) and helpful suggestions for any concerns or problems you might have had in the past with service learning. We also invite participants to stay in contact with us if you would like to ask for suggestions to address challenges or share successes.

Authors

• Jenny Lynn Chamberlain, South Texas College

• Rolando Longoria, South Texas College

• Holly Pottle, South Texas College