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Loyola University New Orleans (New
Orleans, LA)
The
Office of Service-Learning
Summary
The Office of Service-Learning was established to complement existing
community engagement initiatives and to enhance academic instruction through
a focused effort to connect course curriculum to service within the community.
This entity was critical to support existing programs and develop new
service-learning opportunities for students while enhancing the ability
to address community needs.
The Practice
Studies have documented that support from key administrators is crucial
to developing and sustaining service-learning programs. The support of
the president and deans and the strong support of the provost/vice-president
for academic affairs, who provided assistance and funding, were key players
in the process of establishing the Office of Service-Learning.
Establishing the position goals as a component of the search set a framework
for quickly developing appropriate communication channels and assured
a quick ramp-up for the office.
Summary of Position
- The director reports to the assistant provost for teaching, learning
and faculty development and is responsible for the development and institutionalization
of academic-based service-learning and research programs that are designated
to enhance student learning while meeting the needs of the community.
This includes overall operation of the Office of Service-Learning, which
includes program planning, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision
and training of all staff and volunteers.
- The director assumes budgetary responsibility and is charged with
developing and implementing short and long-range public relations and
resource development plans for the center. The director represents the
office in dealing with all university and community personnel, committees,
and organizations.
The service-learning director’s primary initiatives during the
first semester included, but were not limited to:
- presenting service-learning faculty development workshops;
- connecting with community agencies and developing potential service-learning
sites;
- collaborating with Loyola organizations already involved in community
engagement activities;
- publicizing, both internally and externally, service-learning and
the existence of the new office;
- building consensus with deans and directors in the Academic Affairs
Division;
- assessing the current status of service-learning activities and developing
new assessment tools for the program; and
- establishing a Service-Learning Advisory Committee composed of faculty,
students, staff, and community agency representatives.
Effectiveness
Since the establishment of the office in August 2001, 37 faculty members
representing all five colleges incorporated service-learning activities
into their curriculum. This resulted in an excess of 1,000 students serving
at more than 100 community sites. The net effect is a notable increase
in Loyola’s ability to address needs within the metropolitan New
Orleans community. Program success is clearly shown in surveys distributed
to participating students, faculty, and community agency supervisors at
the end of each semester.
Other highlights associated with the office include:
- service-learning incorporated into Loyola’s Academic Affairs
Strategic Plan;
- the granting of the Faculty Excellence and Dedication to Service-Learning
Award;
- hosting the first conference of service-learning directors of Jesuit
higher education institutions; and
- key involvement in the development of Louisiana Campus Compact.
Resources
Additional information on Loyola University New Orleans’ Service-Learning
program can be found on the website.
Contact Information
Carol Jeandron, Ph.D.
Director
Office of Service-Learning
Loyola University New Orleans
6363 St. Charles Avenue, Box 115
New Orleans, LA
Phone: 504-865-2283
cajeandr@loyno.edu
Harlen Henegar
Aerospace Science Instructor
Saint Tammany Parish Public School System
100 Bulldog Drive
Mandeville, LA 70471
Phone: 985-892-7112 ext. 5
hheneg@bellsouth.net
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