Service Learning
Service-learning at VCU builds the university’s capacity to educate the doers and thinkers of the future through community-engaged teaching and learning partnerships that enhance the vitality of our city and region. We collaborate with both on- and off-campus partners to strengthen VCU’s civic ethos and to graduate lifelong engaged citizens.
Service-learning is a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience that engages students in organized service activities and guided reflection. The service benefits the community by meeting community-identified needs, and in combination with reflection, enhances students’ understanding of the course content and builds students’ sense of civic responsibility.
Service-learning is an intentional teaching strategy and high-impact educational practice that can be applied across disciplines. In essence, service-learning involves community service, curriculum connection, and reflection. It can be directly tied to Quest Theme II (Student Success), as well as Theme IV (Thriving Communities).
Engagement is part of our identity as a university. Students are a part of the community.
VCU’s mission statement includes providing:
- Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation
- Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve society’s most complex challenges
Service-learning aims to be mutually beneficial: helping solve real needs in our communities and helping students get real-world application of their learning—and, in the process, become engaged citizens Students in service-learning courses gain:
- Practical application of course content
- Experience
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Networking opportunities
- Become an engaged citizen
- Involved in the community and make a real difference
Questions?
Please use the academic strategy and innovation "Help desk" ticket system to submit inquiries related to service learning.
Service-Learning Teaching Assistants
Service-learning teaching assistants (SLTAs) are exceptional undergraduate students who are nominated by a VCU service-learning instructor to assist them with a service-learning course. SLTAs make service-learning more meaningful and beneficial for both students and community partners. As peer leaders, SLTAs develop new skills, work closely with the faculty member, mentor and support students, develop relationships with community leaders, and participate in a wide variety of community initiatives. SLTAs provide an average of five hours per week of teaching assistance throughout the semester, including ongoing group and individual supervision with service-learning administration.
Students who are interested in becoming service-learning teaching assistants must be nominated by a VCU service-learning instructor. All STLAs take academic courses and receive academic credit for their coursework as service-learning teaching assistants.