Sinclair Community College’s Service Learning program is being recognized with the Community College National Center for Community Engagement (CCNCCE) 2011 International Service Learning award.
The award, which is open to all two year colleges, is meant to recognize outstanding campus-based service learning and civic engagement programs that have developed partnerships outside of the institutions, according to the CCNCCE website.
Sinclair will receive the award at a conference in May.
Sinclair’s Service Learning program is meant to help faculty and students have a more involved experience with assignments through community based partnerships with different companies, according to Marilyn Rodney, service learning coordinator.
“Service learning has a couple different purposes; it’s a way for the faculty and student to better understand the course content. It brings to life why you are learning this material,” Rodney said. “It also has to also benefit community partners met a community need.”
Sinclair begun exploring international service learning through its partnership with Transformational Journeys, which is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to humanitarian services and overseas travel in countries of Guatemala, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Kenya.
“We started looking for international service learning opportunities because our students wanted a longer and more involved experience in addition to what we already offered,” Rodney said. “We found Transformational Journeys and we found that our goals were the same so our relationship built.”
The case to earn the CCNCCE’s International Service Learning award was built around the three most recent trips to Guatemala.
The first trip took place in December 2007, and it was organized for members of the Global Awareness Club. Students were eligible to count this trip toward a part of a credit for Humanities in International Studies (HUM 237). The five faculty and eight students that made the trip brought over 750 pounds of school and medical supplies to help local local families.
The second trip was in December 2009 for a 10-day span. The trip included seven faculty, six students, and two guests and was another opportunity for students to use this for their HUM 237 class. The college team traveled to the community of San Felipe so they could help construct 17 cinder-block stoves for families. Also the team organized art sessions for children, hosted celebrations, and presented gifts to people in the community.
December 2010 was the most recent trip, and it included 14 nursing faculty, staff, and students. The students could use this trip with a nursing course credit. Like the previous trip, the team built cinder-block stoves, for the community. They also exchanged skills and knowledge among the local health care professionals, the students had educational sessions and presented packages on dental health, cooking hygiene, and menopause.
“The students had a workshop on candle making for the community so they can provide light in their homes at night and help raise money for medical supplies,” Rodney said.
Rodney is excited for the future of service learning, and hopes to expand opportunities like this into more classrooms to help with learning experiences. For anyone that is looking for service learning chances they can visit the service learning page on the Sinclair website.
“Service learning is not just a volunteer experience, and I believe that’s where most people are mistaken,” Rodney said. “This is a chance to grow as a person, help your resume and become more involved in the learning experience.”