|  Within the University of St. Thomas’ mission statement is a commitment to service. The Service-Learning Program at the University of St. Thomas exemplifies this pursuit by reaching out to the needs of the community through experiential learning.
What is Service-Learning? Service-Learning combines community service with academic study and structured reflection to offer students a multidimensional learning experience UST has a partnership with over 120 nonprofit organizations in and around the Houston community. Working hand-in-hand with our community partners, service-learning faculty, staff and students are able to creatively respond to the challenges caused by poverty, globalization, limited economic resources and changing demographics of Houston. Service-Learning provides students with experiences in which they can apply their theoretical and classroom learning to the real world of educational practice. Benefits of Service-Learning - For faculty members: Service-Learning is a creative means for connecting the concepts of disciplinary study to the realities of human need.
- For community-based organizations: Service-Learning is a method to contribute in the process of higher education and as a mechanism to enlist the abilities of student volunteers.
- For students: Service-Learning is an opportunity to incorporate the life of the mind with the habits of the heart and soul.
Steps to Service-Learning Program Participation Follow these simple steps: - See your academic advisor.
- Register for a class.
- When class meets, learn about options for service placement.
- Agree to criteria set by the professor (e.g., a reflective paper).
- Complete contract to perform service hours in community.
- Be supervised and evaluated by the nonprofit agency.
- Fulfill hours and other criteria to receive grade and course credit.
Contact Jo Meier Marquis, Ph.D.
meierj@stthom.edu
713-525-3183 | 