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Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals

The Service-Learning Program is a unit of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Since 1998 the Service-Learning Program has supported students, faculty, and community partners with course development, community partnerships, classroom assistance, and other services. Three staff, two graduate assistants, and a small team of student staff focus on expanding and strengthening service-learning (SL) opportunities at Boise State University. Each year, more than 1,500 students participate in over 120 SL classes, with an average growth of 12 new SL classes per year.  Approximately 35% of all graduating seniors have taken a SL class.

Mission

The Service-Learning Program facilitates hands-on experiential learning where students apply course concepts to address community-identified needs. We support faculty, community partners, and students in using high-impact instructional practices to promote critical thinking and civic responsibility. In collaboration with campus partners, we build institutional support for community-engaged teaching that promotes the public good.

Vision

We envision all Boise State students graduating with the skills, knowledge, and disposition to be activity members of their communities. We envision an academic culture in which community-engaged teaching and learning are highly valued, practiced, assessed, and recognized. We envision a university that prioritizes and supports campus/community collaborations to address critical issues of Idaho and beyond.

Values

  • Service
  • Reciprocity
  • Collaboration
  • Asset-focused approaches
  • Every student has an opportunity to succeed

Service-Learning definition

Aspirational Learning outcomes (draft)

Guiding Principles (Thanks to Stanford Haas Center for Public Service)

Community Partnership Philosophy

Program Goals

  1. Expand opportunities for service-learning and civic engagement across disciplines and colleges.
  2. Engage and support faculty and community partners in implementing effective practices of service-learning
  3. Cultivate student civic leaders through community-focused coursework, jobs, and mentoring.
  4. Advocate for the institutionalization of service-learning and culture of civic engagement across campus.
  5. Respond to critical community issues as expressed by the community

Location in the Scheme of Things

The Service-Learning Program is a unit of the Center for Teaching and Learning in Academic Affairs, and it supports service-learning in over 45 academic departments and programs.  Service-Learning plays a large role in Boise State’s Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The Service-Learning Program is located in Riverfront Hall, room 313.

Please contact the Service-Learning Director to learn about specific initiative or to contribute ideas or suggestions. Contact karabrascia@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-2380.