Kent State University engages students in their communities in a wide variety of ways - through student service organizations, university service programs, service-learning classes, and interactions with our community partners. In 2007-2008, KSU students contributed more than $600,000 to communities through volunteer service programs (KSU Volunteer Statistics).

Kent State University's community service events and programs are open to KSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.

Join in President Obama's Summer Call to Service. Join us as we reach out to the communities that surround our campus and to those in need.
Watch this video message from the White House!

About Community Service at Kent State University
Kent State University recognizes a continuum of service engagement including community service (volunteering) to community-based learning (volunteering with learning objectives) to academic service-learning (course based). The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse states that "service-learning combines service objectives with learning objectives with the intent that the activity change both the recipient and the provider of the service."

According to the National Commission on service-learning:

• Links to academic content and standards
• Involves young people in helping to determine and meet real, defined community needs
• Is reciprocal in nature, benefiting both the community and the service providers by combining a service experience with a learning experience
• Can be used in any subject area so long as it is appropriate to the learning goals
• Works at all ages, even among young children
  
  

Service-Learning Courses
Many Kent State faculty incorporate service-learning into their curriculum. The Faculty Professional Development Center Web site lists the specific courses available and the work that faculty and students are doing to make a difference in the learning environment and in the lives of others. Additional service-learning course resources for faculty are available here and Service-Learning Pro helps to match courses to community partner agencies.

Service-Learning Contract
The contract is designed to integrate community service and academic study. Students may "attach" this one-credit contract to any existing class at the instructor's discretion. The student will perform at least 30 hours of service at a community service agency or organization, reflect on and interpret this experience in light of the course and gain a better understanding of civic responsibility. Students must complete a Service-Learning Contract. For assistance in identifying service organizations applicable to a certain course, contact Ann Gosky at:agosky@kent.edu.

Additional information for students:

• Benefits of Community Service
• Reflection for Volunteers
• Safety Tips for Volunteers
• Hold Harmless Agreements
• Community Service Grants
• Tips for Volunteering

To request information on service-learning or community service at Kent State University, please contact:

Jeffrey Pellegrino
Associate Director
Faculty Professional Development Center
jpelleg1@kent.edu or 330-627-1902

Andrea Adolph
Associate Professor, English
Stark Campus
aadolph@kent.edu or 330-535-3377

Ann Gosky
Senior Special Assistant
Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
agosky@kent.edu or 330-672-8004