Service-learning was integrated into HED562: Impact of College on Students, one of the core requirements for students enrolled in the Master’s degree program in Student Development in Higher Education. A mini-grant through the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence was awarded in 2002 to develop a service component for this course. The goal was to place students with campus agencies devoted to serving historically disadvantaged populations (i.e., Disability Services, Multicultural Programs, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Allies Council). In the second year of instruction, the site options were narrowed to complement some other changes in course design. Students selected one of two projects: serving as a mentor for undeclared first-year students experiencing personal and/or academic challenges (with ACE, now Explorations Program), or assisting with the planning of Maine Day, a campus program dedicated to community service.

Rather than accepting unexamined ideologies, students were challenged to reflect on their assumptions about the social context in which U.S. postsecondary education is situated and apply theory to practice through their service-learning experiences. For instance, one student was eager to start his project with the Admissions Office, planning and implementing the Spring Preview Weekend for admitted ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, and Native American) students. A proud ambassador for the institution, he wanted to help these students with their transition. This student quickly learned he had as much, if not more to learn as he had to offer, and that by approaching ALANA students as needing, even requiring help, he ran the risk of further marginalizing them.

In the third year, Iverson partnered with an off-campus organization, Operation Breaking Stereotypes, offering students four projects from which to choose. The following year (2006), Iverson added two additional community partners—GEAR-UP and Powerhouse Teen Center—offering a greater variety of project options.

HED562 syllabus (2006)

HED562, service-learning project guidelines (2006)