A Peek Inside Service Learning:
Service Learning provides work-based learning to students who apply course concepts they learn in the classroom to hands-on experiences in San Diego County’s non-profit organizations. Aligned with Guided Pathways, students’ semester-long experiences shape important career decisions in attaining certificates and degrees relevant to their education and career goals. 1 out of 4 service learning students is offered a job and internship at their site by the end of the semester. Furthermore, research states that students who engage in service learning benefit from increased grade point averages, retention and graduation rates, which supports our approach to achieving student equity.
On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, Service Learning awarded four student scholarships at the Service Learning Academic Showcase at Palomar College. Students were nominated by their professor or a community partner for their exceptional service. The student awardees were: Caitlin Bergen (Child Development), Sharon McNeal (Nursing), Joshua Middleton (American Sign Language), and Stephanie Sanchez (Child Development), who contributed their time to the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito, Inland Valley Hospital and Scripps Hospital, Palomar College’s deaf community, and Operation Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement (H.O.P.E.) North County. Students expressed deep appreciation for giving back to communities, applying textbook learning at their service sites, as well as gaining valuable work experiences related to their future careers. Each student received a $100 scholarship, certificate, a Service Learning graduation cord and stole. If you would like to learn more about Service Learning, Professor José Briceño and Angela Kong will facilitate a Fall Plenary session focused on integrating Service Learning into the classroom.
