Service learning courses offer unique opportunities for students
By Carly Delengowski, Staff Writer //
Service learning classes have been a valuable addition to High Point University’s academics. These classes take students out of the classroom and into service sites to get experience and learn more about the community, while intertwining with the subject matter of the course.
According to HPU, service learning classes “add an experiential aspect that deepens students’ academic experience while benefiting our communities, with the aim of developing greater understanding across cultural, racial and economic barriers and educating students for lives of civic and social responsibility.”
“Through service sites, I’ve been able to learn more about the community and connect with members of High Point on a personal level,” Amy Sladek, sophomore, said. “Being able to incorporate my service experiences into what I’m learning in the classroom has been a helpful education strategy.”
Students benefit in various ways from taking service learning courses. Service learning courses result in a more engaging classroom experience, higher grades, better connections with their faculty members and other various benefits.
However, students aren’t the only ones who benefit from the courses; the community and HPU professors also do.
Professors teaching service learning courses receive $2,000 supporting funds for professional development training and to support class projects and trips.
Service learning classes are capped at 20 students, have a higher retention rate and members receive more individualized attention.
HPU currently has 27 community partners. Some community partners include the Piedmont Environmental Center, YWCA, Leslie’s House, West End Ministries, Boys and Girls club, Salvation Army and Oak Hill Elementary School.
“In the past few weeks I’ve spent time at the YWCA after school program with elementary school kids. Even though they’re younger than me, they’ve taught me a lot,” Grace Beal, senior, said. “For having so little in life, they appreciate so much and it’s very inspiring. I love going back each week.”
HPU is thankful to be involved with so many local agencies committed to the common good. Community partners develop relationship with our service learning partners.
With service learning students, service sites receive extra hands to aid in projects and programs, promotion of their agency’s mission and a more civically minded group of graduates who will enter the High Point community more ready to serve.
So far, HPU offers about a dozen service learning courses this semester. They include Women, Gender, and Culture; College Writing/Public Life; Family Ethics; Environmental Ethics; Strategic Communication Campaigns; and Biology of Women.
In the future, service learning courses will continue to grow and HPU students will be offered more service learning opportunities.