Thoughts from Faculty, Community Partners, and Students

Thoughts from our...

Faculty...

“Service-Learning challenges students’ preconceived notions about the world more effectively than course readings. In my course, the Service-Learning focuses on the character of poverty and poor people. Whether students begin with liberal or conservative assumptions, working directly with poor people challenges them to move to a more realistic picture of the situation.”

 –Dan Finn, SJU Professor of Economics

“Service-Learning allows students to integrate theory and course concepts with a hands-on approach to business applications in conjunction with non-profit agencies. Students learn to work in teams, communicate effectively, and to manage projects. Students also gain an understanding of the importance of civic engagement or how they are making a difference in their communities and society.”

-Rick Saucier, SJU Assistant Professor of Management

[The students] have gained “a better sense of the aging process as it relates to Developmental Psychology, developed an appreciation for historical events and cultural changes, and learned life lessons and new skills from the residents.”

-Steve Stelzner, Professor of Psychology

[Because of this Service-Learning experience] “students were inspired to pursue careers in social work.”

-John Yoakam, Professor and Department Chair, Social Work

 

Community Partners... 

“”…the wisdom on aging from our residents travels with them after they leave CSB/SJU…Our residents and staff alike have developed some lasting friendships.”

-Mary Kay Hawkins, Arlington Place Housing Manager

Many of Sheila’s students have been “very good for the children…some have gone above and beyond the basic expectations, continuing their partnerships after the course requirement has ended….[the students] have shown children hope in their futures.” Some of the children paired with CSB/SJU students have even gone on to pursue post-secondary options.

-Tony Generous, Stearns County Human Services Social Worker

“The students gained considerable knowledge and experience, as well as an appreciation for how this type of work is done in the real world.”

-Lori Klapperich, CSB/SJU Health & Wellness Coordinator

 

 Students...

“The students get a sense of hope and gain knowledge of how to be a role model. Students are able to apply what they have learned while making a difference in the community.”

-CSB Service-Learning Students with Fast Forward Youth Program

“Overall I feel the experience opened my eyes to a new way of thinking. It has helped me to see how other people live and how I can better my life. I feel as though I have accomplished something. I feel like I have helped some people see that there is hope for a better life…I plan on continuing my service in the future and am hopeful that I will be able to change the system in some way, shape or form.”

-CSB Service-Learning Student with Anna Marie’s

“I was able to meet a lot of interesting people and although it was a different experience, I have grown a lot from it. These people have shown me a whole different world that I would have never understood without this service-learning project.”

-CSB Service-Learning Student with Place of Hope

“On the whole, I am grateful for the experiences I had volunteering and I urge everyone to become involved in a program similar to this. Tell them it will change your life, because I know it changed mine.”

-SJU Service-Learning Student with Eastside Boys & Girls Club