empower students through service-learning
DESCRIPTION
This presentation was given at the 2010 Association for Christians in Student Development conference. Thank you for your interest, and please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments - we appreciate your feedback!TRANSCRIPT
Equipping and Empowering Student Professionals through
Service-Learning
Meagan Smith, M.S.Aaron K. Bennett
Welcome!
• A little about us…• Please tell us about you!
- Name- Institution- Role- Interest in our topic today
At the conclusion of our session, we hope you will be able to:
• Identify specific ways in which undergraduate students can become partners in designing, implementing, and evaluating service-learning programs
• Detect opportunities for student professional, personal, and spiritual development in an office setting
How do you Picture Service-Learning?
• Service-Learning is like a wheel…
• Service-Learning is like a light bulb…
• Service-Learning is like a case of the hiccups…
Service-Learning as a Model of Undergraduate Student Leadership and Professional
Development
Learning Outcomes for Service-Learning Advocates
• Communicate effectively with students, professors, and community partners
• Identify the needs and goals of multiple stakeholders in order to create mutually beneficial solutions and opportunities
• Prepare for and respond to project crises calmly and creatively
• Work well with others and facilitate collaborative problem-solving
• Demonstrate such professional leadership skills as public speaking, planning events, preparing for meetings, and organizing for efficiency
• Value and advocate for reciprocal learning opportunities as vital for genuine community-building
So what makes a good
Service-Learning Advocate?
• Organized• Responsible• Strategic• Collaborative• Respectful• Creative• Seeks learning opportunities
Where do you find these
Amazing Students?
• Referrals from top Academic Service-Learning professors
• Community-Based Federal Work Study programs• Experienced SLA recommendations• Academic Service-Learning courses• Universal Student Leadership application• Word-of-mouth
How do you discoverApplicant Strengths and Goals?
• The Three Things, by Dr. Judy Hutchinson– Love to Do– Do Well– Want to Learn
• Roles and Reactions scenarios– Others would say…– In a crisis, I…– My organization toolbox includes…
SLA’s Three Things:
Love to Do:
Do Well:
Want to Learn:
How do weTrain an SLA to be an SLA?
• Fall Training Week-Newbie & Returning
• Community Partner Visits• Buddy Team System Fall Training Week
2009
I love my Buddy!
How do we Support SLAs?
• Staff Meetings• Professional Development• Check-ins & One-on-ones• Project Autonomy
How does the SLA internshipImpact Student Professional Development?
• Communication skills• Event planning• Public speaking skills• Goal setting and vision casting• Professional etiquette • Time management
“This job prepares you for anything and everything!” - SLA
How does the SLA internshipImpact Student Personal Development?
• Learn about strengths and weakness• Build confidence• Connect with professors and community partners on
a deeper and/or more professional level• Deepen understanding of and concern for the local
community• Recognize and value God’s “democracy of wisdom”
“It’s the foundation of the work, not the work itself, that is so transformative.” - SLA
• Connects a student’s work, academics, gifts, and spiritual life
• Provides an action-oriented lens for social justice focused on mutual reciprocity
• Creates a safe spiritual community in which students can share prayer requests, ask challenging questions, and find support through the storms of life
How does the SLA internshipImpact Student Spiritual Development?
“We …are committed to diligent sacrificial service …to inspire and develop a vision and passion for relationship building that
understands and embraces our diverse community leaving behind a Christ-centered, life-changing legacy.” – 2009-2010 Vision Statement Excerpt
Students are Eager for Challenge and Growth!
Learning Valuable Skills for Life!
Small Group Discussion
Let’s talk!
Question & Answer
What questions are still looming?
Contact Information
Meagan Smith, [email protected]
626 815-6000 x2826
Aaron K. [email protected] 815-6000 x2823
Azusa Pacific University Center for Academic Service-Learning and Research
http://www.apu.edu/caslr