Promoting Community
Involvement to First Year
Students through Academic
Service Learning (ASL) and
First Year Experience
Programs (FYE)
Presented by Hannah Lewis and Brian McGowan
Overview
Background of ASL and FYE programs at NMU
Student experience surveys
Brainstorm ideas for projects
Share ways to make the ASL/FYE partnership successful at
your institution
Assumptions
ASL is a positive experience
Community involvement is a positive experience
FYE is a positive experience
ALS and FYE combined is a positive experience…and
maybe even better
The History of ASL at Northern
Adopted in 2000 – started with the Education Department and
student teaching
Used 14 sub grants provided by Learn and Serve America
Winter 2003 - creation of ASL advisory board
Survey revealed 85 courses in 35 content areas had ASL
characteristics.
In 2004 - 30 faculty members took part in a two day seminar on
‘relating theory to practice’ by Dr. Dale Rice.
The History of ASL at Northern
2005 - development of ASL website and use of ASL
courses in promotion and tenure materials
Development of NMU ASL definition and designation
requirements (used Eastern MU previously)
2006/2007 - Provost Office funded ten $500 Action Grants
for ASL projects
Definition of ASL
A course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in
which students:
participate in an organized service activity that meets identified
community needs; and
reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further
understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the
discipline, and an enhanced sense of both personal values and
civic responsibility.
ASL Designation
To have an ASL designation, classes must include the following five common
elements:
Community partners or agencies must be involved in the planning of the
service projects
Conceptualized connection between course objectives and service
activities
Service projects must enrich the learning experience
All parties involved in the service projects must benefit
Time built into the syllabus for formal active reflection, which enables
students to synthesize and derive new meaning from their experiences
Examples would include activities such as directed writings, small
group discussions and class presentations
ASL Board/Structure
Chaired by Dr. Judith Puncochar- Department of Education
Four credit course release
Subcommittees
I. Research
II. Outreach
III. Grant
IV.Curriculum
Faculty recognition award supported by academic dean
Guest speaker preparations Edward Ztlotkowski (April)
Increasing our research on ASL in rural areas
The Growth of ASL at Northern
In the beginning, there were 2-3courses and 6 sections designated as ASL
Fall
Courses
Sections
UN100 (ASL)
2008
28
28
0
2009
27
45
2
2010
36
64
7
2011
33
53
4
2012
59
92
8
2013
39
65
4
Student, Faculty and Community
Partner Surveys
Qualtrics
NOT based on learning objectives/outcomes
Faculty send survey to students and community partners
Currently refining faculty and community partner surveys
First Year Experience (FYE) at Northern
Northern adopted FYE in 1995
The mission of FYE:
To enhance student satisfaction, success, retention, and
graduation
Program Goals:
To help students develop strategies and attitudes to maximize
academic success
To familiarize student with campus resources and how to use them
To assist students with developing positive relationships with
faculty, staff, student leaders and peers
FYE at NMU
Each fall there are about 65 UN 100 sections
Representing about 70% of the incoming class’ enrollment
FYE Works
FYE retains 90% compared to it’s
counterparts at 80%
FYE students outperform their counterparts
academically, by roughly 3/10 of a GPA
percentage
All ASL vs. UN100 ASL
ASL Student Surveys
All ASL
UN100
(ASL)
Actively volunteered before
56%
63%
Community project showed me I can become more involved in
my community
80%
82%
More classes should combine university coursework with the
community
90%
92%
Took this class because of project-orientated learning
component
33%
15%
More likely to take a course with a community project again
78%
82%
Quotes from UN 100 (ASL) Students
“The volunteer gets a better understanding of what their future
career may include. The community partners can get more work
done with volunteers.”
“It gets you out in the community which makes learning some things
easier. It is also great to give back to the community at the same
time as earning credits. Many college kids don't have a lot of extra
time to volunteer, so this is a nice way to get out in the community
and give back.”
“I liked being able to interact with people from the Marquette
community. Coming to a university can be scary because you are
leaving your community to be in a community of students. But it is
nice to be active and participate with the rest of the community as
well.”
“It sparks an interest in community work and gives real-life
experience.”
ASL Projects in UN 100 Courses
Volunteer hours range from 2-15+
UPAWS
North Star Academy
Lake Superior Youth and family center
Marquette General Hospital
Moosewood
A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership
Empower teaching assistants
Designation forms
Brainstorm ideas and work out the logistics
Letters to give to instructors
Support from both ASL and FYE
Spotlights
A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership
Support New Faculty
Informal mentoring program
ASL contact for each department
A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership
Create incentives for faculty
Awards
Spotlights
Grants
A Successful ASL and FYE Partnership
Collect data to support administrative decisions
ASL is collecting data on students, faculty, and
community partners
FYE is collecting data on retention and student
satisfaction with course evaluations
Preliminary data comparing UN 100 courses
with and without an ASL component
1126 Students 153 Students
Taking part in FYE block of courses:
UN100- No ASL UN100- ASL
Positively contributed to a successful first semester at NMU
64.83%
71.24%
Was a benefit to your overall college experience
63.32%
66.66%
Is something you would recommend to incoming students
61.19%
69.93%
ASL and FYE at YOUR Institution
What works for you?
Where is your program struggling?
Ideas for others?