About Service-Learning
Mission Statement
Our mission is to cultivate students' intellectual, civic, and professional development, meet the needs of our community partners, and provide opportunities for faculty development. Specifically the community-based service-learning program will facilitate the creation of new service-learning opportunities embedded in college coursework, provide logistical and pedagogical support for interested faculty, develop and enhance college-community partnerships, and meet real community needs.
Definition of Service-Learning
Community-Based Service-Learning (CBSL) at St. John Fisher College integrates service projects in academic courses to enhance student learning, teach civic responsibility, address community needs through meaningful service, and strength communities. This service moves beyond the traditional understanding of community service, charity, or volunteerism through its integration in academic courses and incorporation of the following principles:
Meaningful Service: The service is collaboratively developed, mutually beneficial, and acknowledges the wisdom and skills of the community partner. The service addresses a stated need through capacity-building projects and client support. Community partnerships are reciprocal and sustaining in order to build on assets and promote problem-solving.
Student Learning: The service helps students meet course goals in a challenging and meaningful way. Structured and rigorous assignments connect course content with service and entail student self-reflection, critical thinking, and the demonstration of life skills. As a result, students will gain the knowledge, broadened world view, and commitment to become active, informed, and responsible citizens.
Why Service-Learning?
» Students
Enhances meaningfulness of learning, professional, personal and academic skills, course performance, civic responsibility, and understanding of social and multicultural issues.
» Faculty
Provides enhancement of faculty development in teaching, research, professional recognition, interdisciplinary and collaborative learning, and community-faculty partnerships.
» Community
Addresses real community needs, builds mutually beneficial relationships between Fisher and the community, and keeps Fisher students contributing to the Rochester community.