Service Learning Academy (SLA)

Service Learning Academy

The mission of the Service Learning Academy (SLA) is to facilitate inter-professional and interdisciplinary public health learning experiences in local, regional, national and international communities.  Activities developed through the Academy strive to address community-identified priorities, advance community health, enhance learning, and foster civic engagement among community members, students, staff and faculty.

Service-Learning is a structured learning experience that combines community service with preparation and critical reflection. It is both a philosophy and a teaching methodology rooted in the educational theories of John Dewey and Paulo Freire. Its primary tenet is that social responsibility and the experience of education are inextricably linked. Students engaged in SL provide community service in response to community identified concerns and learn about the context in which service is provided, the connection between their service and their academic coursework, and their role as citizens. SL differs from volunteerism, community service, or internships as it benefits both the provider and the recipient of the service often referred to as reciprocal learning. There is a host of benefits linked to Service Learning:

• Allows students to serve as involved citizens in their communities, providing them with real-life application of what they learn in the classroom
• Strengthens students’ interpersonal & communication skills including the application of cultural awareness, respect, compassion, and trust. 
• Promotes students’ intellectual personal and social growth, leadership development, and work experience
• Provides students with opportunity to exert creativity and innovation in problem solving
• Helps meet unmet community needs, and provides an opportunity for a community to shape students’ values and prepare students for community participation
• Promotes the value of diversity, teamwork and collaboration
• Helps breakdown and dispel myths and stereotypes community has about students
• Provides an opportunity for the community to view and access the University as a resource
• Allows the University to give back to the community through its students
• Provides good public relations for the University

The SLA supports faculty with preparation, implementation and assessment of sustainable SL initiatives for undergraduate and graduate public health and other students in the health professions and provides guidance on community engaged scholarship development. It is a resource and vehicle for students to connect with community partners to complete their SL course requirements, in a way that respects community needs.

Over 60 local and regional partnerships were developed in the past decade by the MPH for SL/Capstone sites. The SLA is responsible for sustain existing, and developing new partnerships, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

With health care in the U.S. undergoing important and vast changes, and enormous health related challenges around the globe, Service Learning can be instrumental in shaping future professionals. Please join us on this inspiring, energizing, and transforming journey! 

Ruth Margalit, M.D
Director, SLA, College of Public Health