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Service-Learning for Faculty

Faculty members who incorporate service-learning into their classes expand learning opportunities for students, help to improve community relations, and increase student retention.

Currently, more than 150 EFSC faculty members in 450 course sections are using volunteering to enrich their students' academic experience.

With hundreds of community partner placements and projects available, EFSC's Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (CSLCE) has developed an intricate student placement and support system that enables you to concentrate your efforts on assessing a student's learning through their community-based reciprocal experiences.

You can even incorporate service-learning into the Maintenance of Continuing Contract process. It's easy to get started:

How to Add Service-Learning To Your Classroom

Meet With Us

The CSLCE will provide you with resources and can help you to determine which service-learning option is the best fit for your courses:

  • SOW/Service-Learning Course
  • Service-Learning as a Course Component
  • Field Study: 4th/5th Credit Option

CSLCE representatives are also available by request to visit classes directly.

Class presentations usually last from 15 to 20 minutes and include information on service-learning opportunities, program benefits, and how to get started.

Plan Your Courses

Decide how much extra credit students can earn through service hours and which assignments can be substituted with service-learning options. Note this information in your course syllabi. Be sure to designate the number of service hours you will require, appropriate course-related service sites or projects, and the requirements for evaluation or reflection assignments.

For inspiration, take a look at our sample course plans and syllabi:

ENC 1101: Composition 1 Syllabus (PDF) BSCC 1010: General Biology Syllabus (PDF) PSY 2012: General Psychology Syllabus (PDF) SOW 1051: Human Service Experience Course Plan (PDF) SOW 2054: Community Involvement Course Plan (PDF) SOW 2054H: Honors Community Involvement Course Plan (PDF) Service-Learning Field Studies I Course Plan (PDF)
Confirm Student Paperwork

Students may return their paperwork directly to the CSLCE office, or you may choose to collect it in class and forward copies to us. The CSLCE staff maintains student service files and records service hours on academic transcripts.

Student service-learning participants are required to complete the following:

  • Application
  • Release From Liability
  • Placement Confirmation
  • SHOAT Hour Log (Single or Multi-Site)
  • 4th/5th Credit Option Contract (4th/5th Credit Option Students Only)
  • Reflection Seminar (4th/5th Credit Option Students Only)

To help us improve our processes, please also encourage your students to fill out our First Impression Survey at the beginning of the term and Student Questionnaire at the end of the term. You also have the option to require students to fill out a Mid-Semester Progress Report (PDF) .

Complete Your Assessment

Please return a completed faculty assessment form to the CSLCE at the end of the semester:

Faculty Assessment (PDF)

In addition, we encourage all new service-learning faculty to meet with a CSLCE representative to discuss their experience, any questions or concerns, and the additional ways service-learning can benefit their students. With student permission, instructors may also share exemplary journal articles or service reflections with the CSLCE.

Civic Engagement Committee

The Civic Engagement Committee at Eastern Florida State College strives to create new pathways to promote civic engagement opportunities that line up with the Florida College System's Civics Literacy initiative. Its goals and functions include:

  • Preparing students for employment in a dynamically changing global community
  • Involving students, faculty, and staff in diverse community activities that enhance civic engagement, leadership, and empowerment
  • Promoting non-partisan, participatory civic literacy or understanding of local, state, and federal governmental structure and public policy issues
  • Fostering community partnership opportunities both on and off campus
  • Infusing civic engagement into the college culture for both students and employees

Get In Touch

The Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement is centrally located on the Cocoa Campus, but you can contact us no matter where you attend classes. Service-Learning staff are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Be sure to check our Frequently Asked Questions page, too!

Main Service-Learning Phone Number: 321-433-7610

Erin Baird
Cocoa Campus
Bldg. 12, Rm. 305
bairde@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7613

Susan Slaton
Cocoa Campus
Bldg. 12, Rm. 306
slatons@easternflorida.edu
321-433-7611