By Julius Williams
Many of the courses offered at the college require community service projects as part of their curriculum. Students who take advantage of these opportunities find out quickly that the rewards of service are significant for both the community and for themselves.
“It engages them inside the classroom and out,” said Holly Milkowart, English professor.
Her English Speaking and Pronunciation class focuses on English grammar and speaking for non-native speakers. As part of the curriculum, Milkowart requires her students to participate in a community service project. This year, the class is doing a Thanksgiving drive for a local organization called the Village Church Food Pantry and Clothes Closet.
“Students are more productive in the classroom because they are learning English outside the classroom,” Milkowart said.
Outside the classroom, service projects also have the added benefit of preparing students for future careers.
Matt Frantz, student, had been considering a business major with an emphasis in entrepreneurship before entering his Introduction to Marketing class this semester. When the class decided to run a marketing campaign to raise funds for the victims of the Joplin, Mo. tornado disaster, Frantz realized he would be able to practice what he was learning and help the community at the same time.
The class is conducting a professional marketing campaign using surveys, market research and other marketing tools. The integrated marketing campaign will be also incorporate on-campus fundraising with online marketing via their Facebook group page, “JoinforJoplin.” Introduction to Marketing professor Katie Ghahramani said she was particularly impressed with her student’s ingenuity in creating a PayPal option for donations on Facebook and the planned use of iPads to process credit card donations during the on-campus events.
In Frantz’s case, the fundraising project has taught him learn a great deal about business and helped refine his career goals, but the work is far from finished.
“The response from people has been awesome, but there are still people there without basic needs,” Frantz said.
Although most of the service learning projects are integrated into specific classes like Introduction to Marketing, students needn’t feel restricted by that. Students are welcome to pursue projects on an independent basis as well.
Gabrielle Bryant, student senator and education major, decided to take on a service learning project as part of her honors contract for her Children’s Literature Class. The contract offered several options but most involved research and writing papers.
“I’m not a writer,” she said. “I wanted to do something more hands on.”
Bryant noticed that the service learning option offered volunteer opportunities with shelters. She said she already had an interest in social work so it looked like a prime opportunity for her to develop her skills. She found a non-profit women’s domestic violence shelter and decided to do a book drive for the children living there.
To raise funds for the book drive, Bryant will be conducting a bake sale fundraiser on campus. As a personal touch, students will have the option of donating money towards purchasing specific titles. Donors will then have the option of getting their name or initials inscribed on the inside cover so that the children can see who donated.
“It’s a little more personal this way,” Bryant said. “These kids have been through a lot and deserve something special.”
Since its inception in 1993, 8,000 students have participated in the program and more students are signing up each semester.
Marcia Shideler, director of the service learning department, is passionate about the difference volunteer projects can have on students’ lives and on the community at large.
“It’s about getting to know yourself, developing skills, preparing for a career direction, or in some cases, figuring out whether you need to change your current direction,” Shideler said.
Students interested in participating are encouraged to contact Shideler at ext. 3570 or visit her office in COM 201.
“Now is a good time to plan next semester,” Shideler said. “The community always needs lot of help.”
Contact Julius Williams, staff reporter, at jwilli78@jccc.edu.