walsh university service-learning report

Office of Service Learning | Fall 2013

Report Compiled by:

Christy Burke Walkuski

Director, Office of Service Learning

Leaders in Service | http://www.walsh.edu/service-learning | Serve. Learn. Lead.

http://www.walsh.edu/service-learning

2 Office of Service Learning

Fall 2013

OVERVIEW During the Fall 2013 semester, 221 Walsh University

students dedicated just over 4000 hours of service

to 37 local community partners. Service-Learning

courses ranged in discipline from Business to

Theology, with 14 class sections offered.

The purpose of this report is to share service-learning

stories, as well as demonstrate the impact that these

experiences have on our students’ academic,

personal, and civic learning.

OFFICE OF SERVICE-LEARNING MISSION

The Office of Service Learning's mission is to facilitate mutually beneficial service learning

opportunities among Walsh and the local community. This is accomplished by supporting

faculty as they develop and incorporate service learning into courses and by

understanding community needs via established relationships with local organizations.

FALL 2013 COMMUNITY PARTNERS Alliance Catholic Worker

Belden Elementary / Lighthouse Ministries

Boys & Girls Club Massillon

Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health

Church of the Lakes

Early Childhood Resource Center

Early College Academy

Fairmount Elementary

Hartville Mennonite

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox

House of Loreto

Immaculate Heart, St James

IMPACT Academy

JRC

Lehman Jr High

Little Flower Catholic

Mason Elementary

McKinley High School

North Canton Heritage Society

Open M Free Clinic

Parkvillage Health Care Center

PATHS (Partners Against Trafficking of Humans - Stark)

Quest Recovery and Prevention Services

Reedurban Presbyterian

Refuge of Hope

Salvation Army

Springtime of Hope

St Louis Catholic

St Mary Morges, St Francis

St Michael Catholic

St Paul Catholic

St. Anthony All Saints Parish

Stark County TASC

STARS program

Worley Elementary

YMCA Stark

Zion United Church of Christ


Fall 2013

FALL 2013 | SERVICE-LEARNING STUDENT PROFILE

STUDENT MAJORS:

93% of students said they

would recommend their

Service-Learning course to

another Walsh student

90% Agree or Strongly Agree that:

“I was able to relate course readings and or class discussions to my work in the community”


“This experience allowed me to gain new insight regarding issues & needs in the community”


“Service learning helped me to understand how the course subject can be used in the ‘real world’”


“I can make a difference in the community”

Data based on Student Service-Learning Survey administered to all SL Courses.

N=194 fully completed surveys (221 students enrolled in SL courses)


Fall 2013

BSN 362 - Global Information Systems (Brian Greenwell)

In their own words… “This has been the most memorable experience I have had the opportunity to be a part of at

Walsh. Because of this experience, I was able to gain many skills and much knowledge within the

field of Social Work and the ever growing Elderly population. I am very eager to begin my journey in

this field and to use the knowledge I have gained on my own clients.”

(Senior, Applied Sociology, Family Studies major, BSC 440)

In their own words… “It was a good experience to see how complicated non-profit businesses are and how they work

under a tight budget.” (Senior, Business Management Major, BUS 362)

In their own words… As a result of this experience … “I plan on taking more notice to the current problems that are

prevalent in today's society. I also plan on keeping in touch with the director of the North Canton

Heritage Society.” (Junior, Accounting Major, BUS 362)

SERVICE-LEARNING COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

This course prepares psychology, sociology and BAMA majors for practice in applied

behavioral science settings. Students interact with clients, bridging the gap between

theory and practice. Through hands-on application of micro-skills learned in

prerequisite courses, students problem solve with clients and supervisors.

Students studied conceptual foundations, structures and the development of

effective data-based management systems, including analysis of appropriate

hardware, software, and administrative controls. These concepts were applied in a

community setting by students working in teams to conduct IT Audits for non-profit

partners. These audit reports can then be used by partners for grant applications

and to inform future technology strategy. Students learn to apply course concepts,

while also expanding their understanding of the non-profit community.

Partners included: House of Loreto, YMCA Stark, Refuge of

Hope, Alliance Catholic Worker and North Canton Heritage

Society.

BSC 440 - Applied Behavioral Science Capstone (Dr. Jo Anna Kelley)


Fall 2013

This course is designed to heighten awareness and increase understanding

regarding those individuals in our communities and schools with various

exceptionalities, including specific disabilities and cultural differences. The course

provides a knowledge base for examination of one’s own perceptions and those of

society in general while studying historical and current trends for education and life-

long issues. Education majors dedicate 10 hours of service to Canton City schools,

working directly with students with disabilities or addressing issues of diversity.

This course provides a survey of principles, strategies and practical

techniques used to assist students to deal effectively with reading

and study materials in the content areas. Students serve in

classrooms with students in need of supportive reading instruction.

The course stresses the fact that reading is foundational for all

content areas and teachers.

EDUC 354 – Reading in the Content Area (Melinda Sales)

EDUC 206 - Individuals with Exceptionalities (Jennifer Webb and Anne Marie Snyder)

In their own words… As a result of this experience… “I will plan on working harder to make sure that every student

achieves in the classroom. “ (Sophomore, AYA Social Studies Education Major, EDU 206)

In their own words… As a result of this experience I plan to… “Continue with service learning projects. It made me

become more aware of some educational needs in the community and I hope to help more

causes” (Junior, Middle Childhood Education: Math and English Major, EDU 354)

In their own words… “It allowed me to show who I am and what the real world will look like.” (Junior, Education major, EDU 206)

In their own words… “The strategies learned are very helpful and will be able to be applied in the future” (Senior,

Education, EDU 354)


Fall 2013

Serving in the community is combined with the academic objectives of this

course in English composition. Students served as mentors and tutors for

young learners at Belden Elementary School in downtown Canton. Writing

assignments for the course were developed from topics that arose during

students time in the community. Students then shared their new knowledge

and perspectives in individual letters to the editor sent to the Canton

Repository, discussing their points of view regarding their research topic.

With an emphasis on community as client, students learn to address community

health issues, which requires meeting the needs of individuals, families and

aggregates who are the nucleus of community. The students apply principles from

epidemiology, research, health education, and public health to appraise the health

risks and resources of a selected faith community partner. Also, students familiarize

themselves with community resources directed at promoting, maintaining, restoring,

and reorganizing the health of various at-risk aggregates. Students collaborate with

key partners to implement congregational health ministries relevant to that faith

community.

ENG 102E – Reading and Writing Connections (Dr. Mary Giffin)

NURS 420 – Nursing with Aggregates (Larry Mustafaga)

In their own words… “Gives you a chance to connect with the community and understand how everything is

connected.” (Senior, Nursing Major, NURS 420)

In their own words… “Changed my thoughts on inner city schools and possibly consider working in that type of

environment.” (Senior, Education and History Major, ENG 102)

In their own words… “I learned a lot about myself and my community” (Freshman, pre-physical therapy major, ENG 102)

In their own words… “It helps to better understand the needs and problems that our communities have.”

(Senior, Nursing Major, NURS 420)


Fall 2013

This course focuses on learning communication and therapeutic nursing

interventions with children and families as the client. This semester students

worked in teams to develop a Family Health Fair at Lehman Middle School in

conjunction with Parent Teacher Conferences. Theoretical and empirical

knowledge from the sciences and liberal arts is integrated to form the basis for

interacting with families and children within a family-centered care framework.

Cultural values and socioeconomic conditions are studied in relation to

health related behaviors of families within a general systems framework.

Walsh students worked with children at a variety of community organizations,

including Belden Elementary, Salvation Army, and Boys and Girls Club of Massillon.

They served as mentors and tutors, as well as facilitated after-school activities. These

community experiences complimented the course material exploring sociological

issues, theories, and research on childhood and adolescence and examining the

social worlds provided for and created by children and adolescents. A variety of

topics were covered, including the history of childhood and adolescence, peer

cultures, educational problems such as achievement and violence, the impact of

family change and problems, poverty and quality of life, teen pregnancy, and

policies and programs that impact children.

NURS 425 – Nursing with Families II (Patricia Flanagan)

SOC 213 – Sociology of Growing Up (Dr. Laci Fiala)

In their own words… “The experience was extremely beneficial. It allowed me to experience the course content for

myself. It is one thing to simply read about something in a textbook but to actually experience it for

yourself is a completely different thing. In my opinion, that is when the best and most effective

learning takes place. Overall this opportunity was amazing for the simple reason that it opened my

eyes to how the course content really plays out in life. It allowed for me to make real world

connections of my own.” (Sophomore, Sociology/Criminal Justice Major, SOC 213)

In their own words… “Going out into the community to serve others gives you greater respect for the community and

teaches you that there is more to life.” (Senior, Nursing major, NURS 425)

In their own words… “It was very beneficial and it made me feel like I made a difference in the community.”

(Senior, Nursing Major, NURS 425)


Fall 2013

Students in this course consider principles of peace and justice

through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. Dr. Torma advocates

that education in social thought needs to be coupled with

experience in order to be fully understood and transformational. As

stated in Justice in the World, “This education…comes through action,

participation, and vital contact with the reality of injustice” (53). This

Fall students selected sites based on the sites ability to provide

opportunities for students to learn about and critically analyze issues in

our social system. Students provided a minimum of 20 hours of service

with partners such as: Refuge of Hope, Partners Against Trafficking of

Humans, Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, and JRC.

This course closely investigates theories of human happiness, with particular

attention to Western traditions in which this universally desired state is understood in

terms of lifelong flourishing or fulfillment and identified with the life of faith and/or

virtue. Service-Learning students had the opportunity to examine the practice of

service to others through individual service experiences in the community.

THEO 309 – Principles of Peace and Justice (Dr. Joe Torma)

THEO 408 – The Good Life (Dr. Chad Gerber) *Service-Learning By Arrangement

In their own words… “In this class you will learn a lot about yourself plus you will be able to help others in the community.

Also, this class teaches you how to cooperate with others in the real world by treating everyone as if

a family would.” (Senior, Pre-Physical Therapy/Biology Major, THEO 309)

In their own words… “I learned more in this course than any other class I have taken so far.” (Sophomore, BAMA

program, THEO 309)

In their own words… “I plan to participate in more community activities in the future. This was a life changing

experience.” (Junior, Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy Major, THEO 309)

In their own words… “I would like to continue doing community service on a regular basis. It has helped me to work on

my personal goals and treatment of others and I like the person who I am when I am serving others”

(Senior, Biology-Pre-Dental major, THEO 408)


Fall 2013

LOOKING FORWARD | LIVING OUR MISSION

As we continue to develop “Leaders in Service” at Walsh the Office of Service

Learning is working to develop new partnerships in the community, designing new

courses, as well as new engagement opportunities for students across disciplines.

Some exciting developments that are in the works include:

A new Student Service Leaders program that will launch in Spring 2014, in

partnership with The Office of Financial Aid. Students selected for this

program will be employed by the Office of Service-Learning and will work at

key service-learning sites such as Belden Elementary and Salvation Army,

providing direct service to students, as well as support for program staff.

Students will also attend a monthly civic leadership workshop and provide

support for new volunteers in service-learning classes at these partner sites.

This is an exciting new program that will allow us to deepen the impact of our

community partnerships and better prepare students for service.

New opportunities for faculty development,

including increased technology tools for

course orientation and reflection, as well as

the Spring 2014 Service-Learning Boot Camp

for faculty interested in service-learning. This

boot camp will be a full-day community

immersion where faculty participants will

explore Canton, meet with community

partners, and provide direct service, while

integrating key principles of service-learning

such as critical reflection. Each participant will

leave with an individual service-learning

action plan for future course development or re-design.

The Office of Service-Learning is also a proud collaborator with the new

Blouin Leadership and Social Justice Learning Community which will begin

recruiting its first cohort in Spring 2014. This program, housed in the Division of

Social and Behavioral Sciences, will provide the opportunity for this

community of students to take courses together and participate in direct

service to the community, while exploring issues of social justice and

leadership for social change.

In their own words… “I think that it is an important part of the Walsh mission. I am glad to be a part of it.”

(Sophomore, ECIS - Early Childhood Intervention Specialist Major, EDU 206)


Fall 2013

OFFICE OF SERVICE-LEARNING SUPPORTERS

Service-Learning Faculty - A sincere thank you to each of the faculty highlighted in

this report who dedicated time and energy to engage their students in powerful

and transformative ways in our local community. Through challenging and critical

conversations about complex issues and endless encouragement, it is our service-

learning faculty that work to bring learning to life for our students.

Community Partners – Service-learning experiences are rooted in strong community

partnerships and we are fortunate to have a community of outstanding non-profit

organizations, schools, and civic leaders who invest time and wisdom working with

each of our service-learning students. Our community partners are truly co-

educators and help us to fulfill our important mission.

Holly Brown – from participation in service-learning roundtable events and classes,

to the support of day to day operations, Holly is an incredible support to the Office

of Service-Learning, in addition to the multitude of other hats that she wears. I am so

grateful for your enthusiasm for service and the role modeling and mentoring that

you provide to each of our students.

Dr. Ute Lahaie – many thanks for your guidance and support throughout the

semester. Your passion for student success and encouragement to explore and

support new ideas is so appreciated!

In their own words… “This was truly a life changing experience. I would recommend service learning to all students. Some

of the relationships that I formed with some of the kids I will remember for the rest of my life. The

opportunity to spend time with the kids, make a difference in their lives, and just get to know them

was truly rewarding. (Sophomore, Sociology/Criminal Justice Major, SOC 213)

In their own words… “I now realize that I have a responsibility to do what I can in order to help those who are in need. I

need to remind myself that what I do might not ultimately change the world, but I can make an

impact on people's lives”. (Junior, Biology Pre-Physical Therapy, THEO 309)