In Service-Learning in Higher Education: Concepts and Practices, a key book in the field, Barbara Jacoby defines service-learning as “a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development” (p. 5). The author emphasizes that reflection and reciprocity are key concepts that set service-learning apart from other forms of experiential education such as internships, field experiences, community service, and volunteerism.

Given Indiana University Northwest’s commitment to diversity, lifelong learning, and the communities it serves, it is crucial that students have opportunities to develop an awareness and recognize the importance of these areas. Service-learning is one vehicle through which those opportunities can be made available to students.

Because service-learning is a pedagogical strategy, service-learning at Indiana University Northwest, is housed within the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). CETL staff are available to help faculty identify service-learning opportunities and integrate service-learning into their teaching. CETL also offers workshops and other events related to service-learning.

Faculty members who are interested in including a service-learning component in their course should contact the Service-Learning staff listed below.

During the spring semester 2005, under the auspices of the American Democracy Project, nine members of the IUN community met monthly as a study circle to discuss the following question: Should IU Northwest take additional steps to infuse high-quality service-learning experiences into parts of the curriculum that can benefit from this pedagogy? The group produced the position paper that is now being discussed among members of the IU Northwest academic community.

• AmeriCorps
• Indiana Campus Compact
• National And Community Service
• National S-L Clearing House
• S-L Articles
• S-L Practical Tool Box
• SeniorCorps
• United Ways

• Career Center (Valparaiso U)
• Career Development (Purdue U North Central)
• Career Services (Calumet C of St. Joseph)
• Career Services (Davenport U)
• Career Services (IU Northwest)
• Career Services (IVY Tech CC)
• Career Services (Purdue U Calumet)
• Civic Engagement (Valparaiso U)
• Engagement (Purdue U)
• Experiential Learning (Purdue U Calumet)
• Internships (IVY Tech CC)
• Regional Excellence (IU Northwest)
• Service-Learning (IUPUI)
• Student Life & Athletics (IU Northwest)