Service Learning Information for Faculty

If you would like assistance with integrating service learning into a course, please contact Michele James-Deramo.

Enter the Service-Learning Portal (for faculty currently involved in service learning)

Reserve the Hokie Hands trailer with tools and supplies for service projects.

What Counts As Service-Learning?

Service-learning opportunities include:

  • courses that incorporate an optional or required community service experience of at least 15 hours for the semester;
  • academic clubs that carry out significant community service projects related to their disciplinary areas;
  • academic programs that have a community service requirement of at least 10 hours for its participants;
  • co-curricular programs that integrate a structured service and learning experience for its participants;
  • internships or field work experiences that intentionally integrate civic learning objectives and impact a public entity;
  • community-based or action research projects with clear deliverables to a public entity.

Why Work With the Service-Learning program?

We provide you with:

  • logistical assistance and resource support so that you can focus on teaching rather than managing;
  • assistance in developing experiences that incorporate the best practices in service-learning pedagogy;
  • faculty development opportunities to enhance your integration of service with learning;
  • models for assessing the impact of service-learning on students' academic and civic development;
  • connection with activities of other units on campus doing similar work;
  • criteria for community partnerships in order to develop meaningful and engaging experiences that make a difference and are sustained over time;
  • recognition and celebration at our annual Expo event;
  • documentation on the variety and impact of service-learning on campus.

Outstanding Educator
2007-2008

Whitney Edminster

Engineering Education