University of Cincinnati
09/13/2024 | Press release | Archived content
Embracing service learning: Education beyond the classroom
Embracing service learning: Education beyond the classroom
UC Service-Learning class raises more than $9,000 for local nonprofits
4 minute readSeptember 13, 2024Share on facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print StoryLike
At the University of Cincinnati, the boundaries between the classroom and real world often overlap. Service-learning classes integrate academic learning with community service. Unlike traditional forms of education that primarily focus on transmitting knowledge within the confines of four walls, service learning offers students the opportunity to apply their learning to real-life situations while addressing genuine community needs and fostering civic responsibility and personal growth.
Understanding Service Learning
Service learning is not merely about volunteering or completing community service hours. It is a pedagogical approach that intertwines meaningful community service with academic instruction, reflection, and critical thinking. Students engage in service activities that are directly connected to their academic curriculum, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of course content while making a tangible impact on society.
Megan Church-Nally, PhD, associate professor - educator in the College of Arts & Sciences, taught the service-learning class last year: Fundraising and Donor Relations (ORGL 3041), and served as the faculty advisor for senior capstone projects in ORGL 5000. Students learned about the basics of fundraising, managing donor relations, and diversifying income portfolios to mitigate the impact of fluctuating donations. Then they were required to apply this knowledge in the real-world by fundraising for a nonprofit.
At its core, service learning comprises four essential elements: meaningful service, academic integration, reflection, and reciprocity. "Emphasis is placed on developing interpersonal skills and building lasting relationships with donors," said Church-Nally. "The courses I teach aim to equip students with the knowledge and abilities needed to become effective fundraisers and key contacts for their organizations."
Students in Church-Nally's fundraising and donor relations classes carried out donation or fundraising drives for Rockdale Academy, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, Tikkun Farms, and Bearcats Pantry. Most of these students completed additional fundraising events as part of their senior capstone which benefitted animal rescues, children experiencing homelessness, a global nonprofit, a nonprofit focused on encouraging girls in music, and two youth focused nonprofits. In total, they raised over $9,000 and made a huge impact on the local community, but they also gained resume-building experience, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
UC student Adam Cassini raised nearly $2,500 for Girls Rock Cincinnati by hosting a Battle of the Bands fundraising event. Photo/provided.
Adam Cassini, a fifth-year political science and organizational leadership major, hosted a Battle of the Bands event to raise money for the nonprofit Girls Rock Cincinnati, whose mission is to fuel joy through arts and music for girls and gender-expansive youth. "My experience with service learning through Battle of the Bands last year was eye-opening for sure! It pushed me to step up as a leader and learn to make sacrifices and plan well ahead of an event to make sure that not only people were safe, but that the event represented the values that the nonprofit holds, as well as my own.
Successfully implementing service-learning classes requires careful planning, collaboration, and support from stakeholders. It holds immense potential to transform education and society by fostering engaged, empathetic citizens who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to address complex challenges and create positive social change. By integrating academic learning with community service, service learning empowers students, like Cassini, to become active agents of change, contributing to a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. As we continue to embrace innovative approaches to education, let's recognize the transformative power of service learning in shaping the future leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.
Featured image at top of UC students in Service-Learning Fundraising and Donor Relations class. Photo credit/ Megan Church-Nally /University of Cincinnati
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