KU News Release

KU students complete certification for service learning for fall 2007

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LAWRENCE — The Center for Service Learning at the University of Kansas has recognized 50 students in 19 disciplines for completing certification in service learning during fall 2007.

Students who completed the certification process this fall receive a designation on their transcripts and will be recognized in a ceremony in spring 2008. The notation will inform future employers and graduate and professional schools that the students have dedicated significant time to classes and activities that foster civic engagement, community involvement and leadership.

KU’s Center for Service Learning allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, gain experience and serve their community. The certification process consists of four components: completion of a service learning course; an independent service project; a set of directed civic engagement and leadership readings; and a reflection. All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for certification.

During the fall 2007 semester, KU students participated in more than 60 service learning courses in departments as diverse as anthropology, business, music therapy, architecture and political science. Projects within these courses ranged from performing surveys for local community organizations in a sociology class to teaching English to native Spanish speakers in a Latina/o literature course. For their independent projects, many of the students volunteered with local service groups such as Headquarters, Up ’Til Dawn, Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club and Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

The Center for Service Learning was established in 2005 to create meaningful learning opportunities for students. Since then, more than 300 students in 30 majors and four graduate programs have been certified in service learning, aiding more than 42 community-based organizations and partnering with them for more than 5,725 hours.

Students who participate in the certification program say service learning provides a chance to make their course content more meaningful but also guides their future academic and career interests.

“Going into my service learning class, I was a double-major: Spanish and international studies,” said Betsy Copeland who was recently certified in service learning. “After my class and related independent project experience, I decided to add a third major: political science. It had such a large impact upon me that I made a commitment to continue both personally in my service as well as academically.”

Students who completed their certification are listed below.

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