Campus Compact:
Building from Engagement to Completion
Service Learning and
Student Success
Jacki Belin, Dean for Advancement
• Enrolls 8,500 students each semester of which 3,800 are
part-time
• Enrolls 18,300 students in non-credit courses, including
customized training, workforce development, allied health,
professional development & youth programs
• Provides more than 70 associate degree and certificate
programs
RVCC Service Learning Program Participation
Annual Program Participation:
• 1,000 students perform
community service
• 65 faculty offer service
learning
• 70 courses from all academic
disciplines
• 250 community organizations
• 30,000 hours of service
provided to community
• $600,000 donated as
economic equivalent to
community
RVCC and NJ Service Learning Participation
 Raritan Valley Community College (850)
 Bergen CC (427)
 Brookdale CC (400)
 Montclair State University (600)
 New Jersey Institute of Technology (48)
 Ramapo College (246)
 Richard Stockton College (500)
 Rider University (120)
Source: NJ Service-Learning Higher Education Consortium
AY 2007-2008
Why is Service Learning Important?
• Supports national movement to increase
success/completion rates
• Research validates that student engagement
increases student success
• Instills civic responsibility
• Addresses multiple
learning styles
Supporting Student Success
ATD Logic Model
Input
Student, Agency,
Faculty
Activity
Output
Outcome
Service Learning
Activity
Reflection Activity
Increased Retention
Greater Engagement
Tangible Service
Improving Student Learning
Outcomes with Service Learning
American Association of Community Colleges reveals that:
• Students who participate in service learning score higher on institutional
learning outcomes such as critical thinking, communication, civic
responsibility, academic development, and educational success.
• Students saw themselves as more competitive in the job market than those
who did not have service learning experience.
• 85% of these students believed that service learning should be
practiced in more courses at their colleges, and 87% would encourage other
students to take courses that offer service learning.
The entire text of the research brief may be found at
www.aacc.nche.edu/Resources/aaccprograms/horizons/Documents/slorb_jan2010.pdf
Courses Offering Service Learning
 Introductory level
 Capstone
 Leadership
 Honors
 Majors
 Independent Study
 Teacher Education
 Developmental
 Internships
Exposure to
community
issues
Completion/
success
Career
exploration
Employment
Networking
Service Learning
Enforces Core Learning Objectives
Collaboration
Communication
Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
Information
Literacy
Diversity &
Multicultural
Understanding
Civic and Social
Responsibility
Meeting General Education Goals
Through Service Learning
 Communication: Students will communicate effectively in both
speech and writing.
 Critical thinking, problem solving, and information literacy:
Students will use critical thinking and problem solving skills in
analyzing information gathered through different media and
from a variety of sources.
 Humanities: Students will use social science theories and
concepts to analyze human behavior and social and political
institutions.
 Diversity and global perspective: Students will analyze the
implications of commonalities and differences among culturally
diverse peoples.
Examples of Service Learning Activities
 Tutoring and mentoring young children
 Developing marketing plans
 Providing assistance at food banks, blood drives
and hospitals
 Helping children and the elderly to learn about
computers or develop web pages
 Assisting non-profits with video/photo
documentaries of agency history and special
topics
 Assisting in police departments, probation offices
& court houses
Education
Kathryn Purvin,
M.Ed
Program Coordinator
and Instructor
Education
“As a Pre-Service Teacher Educator, it is my
duty to immerse my students in K through
12 schools and classroom settings in the
most effective and productive way
possible. Service Learning offers that
opportunity so naturally and
practically! These aspiring teachers engage
in authentic learning experiences that
allow them to reflect on the teaching and
learning process from multiple
perspectives: the students’, the
cooperating teacher’s, and most
importantly, their own. ”
Student Quote - Foundations of Education
"Taking part in Service Learning at Raritan Valley
Community College (RVCC) changed my life! It was my
first sense of accomplishment and my first act of campus
involvement during College. The ability to work with
children, which I love to do, and gain experience as an
Education major was an
immense blessing.
Service Learning instilled
a level of confidence in
my capabilities to pursue
a career in education.
Thank you RVCC for the incredible opportunity!"
Math
Sheila Meiman
Adjunct
Assistant Professor
Mathematics
Service learning students usually start out with a fair
amount of trepidation. But during the semester they
often:
• Have their first lifetime experience of having
someone look up to them as a mentor,
• Learn what they want to do with the rest of their
lives----or what they don’t want to do
• Gain self-esteem and confidence,
• Understand the self-gratification that volunteering
can bring,
• Feel responsible ---sometimes for the first time--for someone or something other than themselves.
• Come back to me as better, more focused, and often
more mature students.”
Student Quote – Math
“I have done SL before and I enjoyed it. I expected it to be about the
same this time. I didn’t really think it would matter that I was doing
1st grade instead of 4th. … Overall it was a great learning
experience. I wish I had more time to spend with the students
because it is amazing how they look up to you for coming to help
them. …I think I have realized that 1st grade is a little too young for
me. I think I would need a little more patience. This experience has
made me realize that I would like to eventually work with students
that are a little older..”
Environmental Science
Dr. Jay Kelly
Instructor
Biology &
Environmental
Science
“Service learning not only provides students
with a rich physical grounding of the ideas
and concepts discussed in class, but a sense
of purpose for their learning. It shows them
how their knowledge and understanding can
benefit our communities and the natural
world of which they are a part. In doing so,
students are able to develop a sense of
purpose and meaning for themselves, their
education, and the role that each has to play
in the world they live in.”
Student Quote – Environmental Science
"While working as a Service Learning intern, I
have come to understand what the word
community truly means and how this program
facilitates learning while serving the
community. It was a very enriching experience
for me."
Nursing
“Trends in Nursing service learning
projects offer RVCC nursing students
a unique opportunity to work directly
within the community. Each year
community agencies become more
and more aware of our Trends
projects, and have contacted us to
solicit help in creating and
disseminating information into the
community. Students develop critical
thinking skills, individuality and civic
pride by partnering with community
businesses, schools and agencies.”
Trends in Nursing Faculty:
Susan Williams APN.C., Assistant
Professor
Janice Buttler APN.C., Associate
Professor
Mary Balut APN.C., Assistant Professor
Nursing Students at Work
Shears for Tears
Assessment of Student Learning
• Reflection Activities
Examines subject matter through journals, essays, group
discussions, role playing, power point presentations
 Student Surveys
Identifies learner outcomes on personal, social and academic
experiences
 Open Letters
Offers feedback from students, faculty
and community members
 Agency Feedback Survey
 Provides information on student performance
 Community Advisory Board
Provides guidance and oversight for project
Interfaith Hospitality Network
Serving the Homeless
Service learning students working with our clients are exposed
to the issues first-hand while serving a variety of needs for our
agency. As students focus on activities to benefit our clients,
they also serve as positive role models for our clients to aspire
to move beyond their high school diploma or GED. What is
consistently offered is a “win-win” situation for the students,
our clients and our agency.”
Evidence of College’s Success and
Resulting Value to Community
 2010 President’s Higher Education Community
Service Honor Role with Distinction
 2009 Presidents Community Service Honor Roll from
the Corporation for National and Community Service
 2009 Economic Vitality Award from the Somerset
Business Partnership
 2008 Service-Learning Collaboration Award from the
Community College National Center for Community
Engagement for work with social service agencies
 2008 Community Engagement Classification from the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of
Teaching
Next Steps
Advancing the Field of Service Learning
• Developing a New Jersey State Compact
• President Crabill is the co-chair of the new initiative
• Involving 19 institutions to serve on the State Compact
• Includes two and four-year, public and private
• Collaborating on programming for the State
• Developing an organizational structure
Service Learning
Tangible
Relevant
Engaging
Contact Information
Jacki Belin
Dean for College Advancement
jbelin@raritanval.edu
908.526.1200, x 8205