Why Use Service Learning?

Service Learning will provide all participants with the opportunity to make a more meaningful and long-term impact on Marshall University students and the Huntington community. Combining academic theory with community service enhances student learning by offering hands-on experience outside of the classroom and simultaneously provides community organizations and citizen initiatives with needed expertise.    Benefits for Students "Be the change you want to see in this world."  -Gandhi   Becoming involved within the community through a Service Learning course provides students with real-life application of what is learned within the borders of the classroom. The integration of service and academics promotes deeper involvement in intellectual growth, leadership development, and personal and social growth. The combination of service and academic theory enhances personalized education for students. Serving the community empowers students as learners, teachers, achievers and leaders . Participating in a Service Learning course will provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the working world.   Benefits for Faculty “Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I may remember.  Involve me and I learn.”  -Benjamin Franklin  Service Learning will provide you with the opportunity to make a more meaningful and long-term impact on Marshall University students and the Huntington community. Combining academic theory with community service enhances student learning by offering hands-on experience outside of the classroom. Service Learning encourages faculty to be innovative and creative in their teaching, which increases student  retention by providing quality education. Service Learning contributes to a university's outreach efforts to the local community, the state and beyond.   Benefits for the Community "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  -Margaret Mead Service Learning provides an opportunity for a community to shape students' values and to prepare students for citizenship and community participation after college. Service Learning helps with community education and contributes thousands of hours of service to people in need, non-profit agencies, private sector companies, non-governmental and governmental agencies. Establishing a partnership with the university ensures that self-identified community needs will be met.             Some benefits adapted from the Center for the Advancement of Service Learning