Community partners

Service-learning basics

Service-learning is academic. But it is designed to connect students to experiential opportunities within the community to maximize their learning.

And the community gets service that is a cut above standard volunteers—students come equipped with knowledge and skills that they want to develop further. 

Community organizations get reliable quality help, for which they don't have to pay. Since students get course credit, that means both parties are equally invested in the arrangement and mutually benefit from it. It creates a more stable, reliable source of service-based labor. 

Look at Independent Sector's website for information on this. 

Examples of service-learning

There are some things to keep in mind to ensure that service-learning is a good experience for everyone. We want to make sure it is advanced enough to challenge our students (learning) and goal-oriented enough to be useful for our partners (service). Here are a few examples:

Reducing obesity

✘ Coordinating a community marathon is service.

✘ Measuring body mass index is learning.

✔ Calculating the average BMI of a school, setting up a website to gather statistics, then organizing a “Walk across North Carolina” to help reduce obesity is service-learning.

Pollution solutions

✘ Picking up trash on a riverbank is service.

✘ Studying water samples under a microscope is learning.

✔ Science students collecting and analyzing water samples, documenting their results and presenting their findings to a local pollution control agency is service-learning.

What to expect from our students

• Prepared in advance with advising and orientation
• Guided by faculty and staff from Missouri State
• Motivated by professional interests
• Eager to develop skills
• Ready to network 

What students expect from you

• To develop career skills as they serve

• Make a difference with actual community issues
• Apply theories and concepts learned in class
• Collect contacts & references

• Gain “real life” experience

• Build résumé material

Working with students

Planning and preparation

• Decide on how many students you need for a project or initiative
• Develop position descriptions that outline responsibilities
• Communicate with student early and often

The first meeting

We require students to set up a meeting with their partner before work begins.

Use this opportunity to find out more about the students and share about your organization and how they can contribute to your mission.

• Discuss the students’ role, including specific expectations.
• Review policies, rules, dress codes, schedules, etc.
• Include a tour of the facility, if possible.

Keep in mind student schedules

• Agree upon the number of hours, days and times well ahead.
• Give advanced notice of necessary schedule changes.
• Talk to the student about academic holidays.

For example, without a conversation, students will be so out of town the minute Thanksgiving holiday hits, which may not line up with your schedule. 

Communicate

• Give students regular feedback about their work.
• Contact us with any questions or concerns.
• Update us when there are changes to your organization.