A New Era for Service-Learning: Designing an Intentional High Impact Practice

Authors

  • Mandi Rachelle McReynolds Drake University

Abstract

This article describes and examines the design and assessment practices of a Summer of Service-Learning and Social Justice Program (SSSJP). The program was developed to deepen students’ learning outcomes through strategically constructing multiple high impact practices: service-learning, an internship, a learning community, collaborative projects and common intellectual experiences.  The program and assessment instruments were constructed to build a culture of evidence and inquiry among service-learning educators in a new era for service-learning. Instruments were fashioned to measure evidence of student learning in cultural pluralism, civic engagement, self-direction, curiosity, leadership, and critical reflection in a service-learning and social justice program or course.

Author Biography

Mandi Rachelle McReynolds, Drake University

Mandi McReynolds is the Director, Community Engagement and Service-Learning at Drake University. She has spent her career building service-learning and leadership programs at three different institutions in Iowa. She received her B.A. in Organizational Communications from Cedarville University and M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Iowa State University. Mandi was honored with the 2011 Iowa Campus Compact Engaged Staff Award, 2012 Iowa Student Personnel Association Outstanding Service Award, and 2012 Upper Midwest Region ACU-HO Social Justice in Action Award. Her research interests include student agency development and the career development of community service-learning professionals.

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Published

2014-07-23

Issue

Section

Articles