1. Civic Engagement & Service-Learning: An Overview
Prepared for the MSU / OTC Lebanon Advisory Committee Meeting
Presented by
Katherine Nordyke, Director Citizenship & Service-Learning
Missouri State University
March 3, 2015

2. Civic Engagement & Service-Learning: Where does it fit with the Public Affairs Mission?

3. Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Mission
Ethical leadership
Goal: Students will articulate their value systems, act ethically within the context of a democratic society and demonstrate engaged and principled leadership. (Adapted from the Center for Ethical Leadership)
Missouri State is preparing students for the future by helping them understand the ethical dimensions of leadership and take what they learn in the classrooms and use it to help solve problems and bring about change.
Cultural competence
Goal: Students will recognize and respect multiple perspectives and cultures.
Missouri State helps students develop cultural knowledge in several ways. Study abroad programs, interactions with international students and opportunities to study different languages, histories and religions, help students broaden their horizons, build relationships and bring about better competition for the future.
Community engagement
Goal: Students will recognize the importance of contributing their knowledge and experiences to their own community and the broader society.
Goal: Students will recognize the importance of scientific principles in the generation of sound public policy.
Community engagement lets students branch out and see how the world is working through a different lens, giving them the opportunity to work with their communities and build up their ability to lead in their careers.

4. Civic Engagement: Where does it fit with Service-Learning ?

5. Civic Engagement & Service-Learning
When education takes a hands-on approach to learning, the result is a more informed, more involved community of future leaders. Service-learning brings substance to our democracy and strengthens the thread that binds our diverse nation.
First Lady Michelle Engler, Michigan

6. Civic Engagement & Service-Learning
Civic behavior is the important issues for the country. Democracy requires its citizens to take responsibility and be involved in solving problems, not just during times of crisis, but all the time. Service-Learning involves students in solving community problems, and at the same time, helps them learn and apply reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
Frank Newman, Visiting Professor – Brown University

7. Civic Engagement & Service-Learning
The highest standard of an American education is how students use their academic learning to contribute to the advancement of a democratic society of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all. Service-Learning is exactly the vehicle for deepening academic learning of students as they make contributions to larger communities.
Carl Glickman, chair, Program for School Improvement, University of Georgia

8. Civic Engagement Civic engagement means:
Working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities
Developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference
Promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes
“Never doubt the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. That’s about the only way it has ever happened in the past.”
Margaret Mead

9. Civic Engagement Framework

10. Civic Engagement
Occurs through the development of the capacity for engagement within students/citizens
Can be taught and measured as civic learning
If we think of civic learning as having the components of knowledge, skills, and values we can get a better understanding of what it looks like:

11. Civic Engagement
Civic Skills
Civic Values
Civic Knowledge

12. Civic Skills
General abilities students develop through community engagement
Skills and abilities promote and foster:
Critical thinking
Communication
Public problem solving
Civic judgment
Civic imagination and creativity
Collaboration (a key component of leadership)

13. Civic Knowledge
Consists of political, historical, and civic knowledge gained from both academic and community engagement
A key ingredient for civic knowledge is historical knowledge that contextualizes community-based experiences
Students gain civic knowledge through their interaction with communities

14. Civic Values Justice and Equality for all Appreciation for Diversity
Inclusive Excellence
Respect and Dignity for all
Commitment to participation in making the world a better place

15. How is Civic Engagement Taught ?
The underlying aim of civic engagement is to produce meaningful service and experiences for all involved participants
Reciprocal relationship between all involved parties
Community partners explain their needs
Students and faculty work with the community partners to find a sustainable ways to address their need
Experience serves as a common ground for students to enhance their scholarship, raise questions and explore alternative solutions with new social consciousness, not only in the classroom but as they move into the world as professionals

16. Civic Learning = Cultivating…
Civic Skills
Civic Knowledge
Civic Values
In order to take Civic Action

17. Service-Learning: An Overview

18. Service-Learning

19. Defining Service-Learning
Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.
(NYLC, 2001)

20. Service-Learning

21. Why Service-Learning ? Service-learning: Engages Students
Deepens connections and builds relationships within communities
Over thirty years of research shows that service-learning increases student success and retention on college and university campuses
Service-Learning Engages Students:
They have a better understanding of their course content
They get to know & build community relations
They gain real-world experience
Helps to strengthen career decisions
They get to network with industry leaders and service-learning helps to build a strong resume (discuss AAC&U study on what employers look for)
Service-learning also increases student skills, sensitivities and commitments necessary for effective citizenship in a global world and service-learning engages our students in community-based problem-solving and addressing social justice issues – locally, nationally, and globally. Additionally, service-learning provides the opportunity for educational institutions come together with community to address identified problems/issues, which in turn increases awareness about the needs of the community partner and the services they provide, and the community partner benefits from the skills and knowledge the students bring to the table.

22. Characteristics of Service-Learning
Positive, meaningful, and related to participants
Involves cooperative rather than competitive experiences
Promotes skills associated with teamwork, community involvement and citizenship
Addresses complex problems in complex settings rather than simplified problems in isolation
Service-learning leads to attainable and visible outcomes that are valued by those being served

23. Service-Learning is Experiential Learning
Occurs when students learn by actively engaging in experiences that have benefits and consequences, along with focused reflection
(Missouri State Learning Standards, 2010)
Students experience practical applications of the material being taught, and develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of thinking - Service-learning falls under the broader umbrella of experiential education
(National Youth Leadership Council)

24. Service-Learning is Experiential Learning
What is Happening Now?

25. Next Steps:
NO Collaborative Model for Service-Learning between MSU & OTC
Goal – To develop a partnership model for service-learning in Lebanon

26. What questions do you have or comments you would like to share?
Questions & Comments
What questions do you have or comments you would like to share?

27. Contact Information:
Katherine Nordyke, Director Citizenship and Service-Learning (CASL) Missouri State University PSU (417)