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The Center for Service Learning
Western Washington University’s Center for Service-Learning (CSL) plays an important role in implementing WWU’s Strategic Plan. As an innovative teaching and learning strategy that aligns community-based projects with course learning objectives to improve student learning outcomes, service-learning transforms student learning, inspires faculty in teaching and scholarship and strengthens campus-community partnerships. In fulfilling the CSL mission to provide high-quality service-learning to students, faculty and the community, we advance Western Washington University’s strategic plan to offer active learning opportunities for students “to display leadership, civic engagement, social responsibility, and effective citizenship.” We provide opportunities for faculty to be involved in “scholarly and creative work of significance” … and for students and faculty to apply “scholarship in regional, national, and global communities” through collaborative campus-community partnerships.
We have a staff of dedicated, experienced, knowledgeable and passionate individuals. Through our programs we have the expertise to help Western fulfill its strategic plan to “increase the scope of existing outreach and collaborative programs…” and “build broader connections to regional, national, and global communities through … applied scholarship, service learning, and community service.”
Furthermore, many of the goals of the Center for Service Learning and those stated in WWU’s Strategic Plan are aligned with the Washington Higher Education Coordinating (WHEC) Board’s 2008 Strategic Master Plan for Higher Education in Washington. The WHEC Board has a vision for 2018: “Washington’s engaged citizens will create a civic culture that sustains a strong sense of responsibility to the next generation. This will be expressed in concerted action to address global climate change, protect our natural heritage, foster community service, and continue to expand and improve our education system. To achieve this vision, we will……rethink and redesign educational programs to suit the needs of diverse learners and a changing economy.” The Center for Service-Learning is a leader at WWU in promoting these ideals and can help WWU move toward compliance with the WHEC Board’s goals. Service learning also helps prepare students for the work force by offering them early learning opportunities through a “real world” community experience with experts in their fields, allowing students to explore future meaningful careers.
For more information go to their website: http://www.wwu.edu/depts/csl
