Academic Service Learning Department
Reaches a New Crossroads!
This year Academic Service-Learning finds itself at an exciting
crossroads including increased personnel, a new service scholar’s
program and various new incentive programs. Academic
Service-Learning is increasing on campuses across the country and
St. John’s is keeping pace with what’s happening.
St. John’s University committed itself to Academic
Service-Learning in 1995, establishing itself as a leading partner
in our community since that time. The Office of Academic
Service-Learning was initially created to fulfill the University’s
mission to educate students, as well as give students the
opportunity to serve others, which is a core value of the
Vincentian charism. The University community, including faculty and
students of all colleges and disciplines, has coordinated hundreds
of Academic Service-Learning projects which have provided students
with the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom.
With the beginning of the 2007-2008, school year, the Academic
Service-Learning Department finds itself at an exciting new
crossroad! In response to the 2006 Middle-States self-study
and final report, the Office of Academic Service-Learning has been
moved to the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of the
Provost. Additional Administrators have been added to the Office to
assist in further department growth and development.
An exciting new program, The Ozanam Scholar’s Program, has been
introduced. This program was created to provide students with
an opportunity to study issues of poverty and social justice
through academic research, hands-on community service, and
leadership development. Forty-three students have been selected to
begin the program this year. Each freshman receives a $10,000
scholarship, renewable annually, for the four-year program. We are
proud to introduce this unique and specialized program at St.
John’s University. The scholars have already had their first
service experience as a group by visiting Chapin Home for the
Aging. To find out more about the Ozanam Scholars Program
contact Mr. John D. Carrion at ext. 7902 or email carrionj@stjohns.edu.
The academic year got off to a great start with the 3
informational/orientation sessions that were conducted in August
for faculty. Close to 50 faculty members attended. A number of
faculty members have called or stopped by the Academic
Service-Learning Office to get more information on the program and
how they can incorporate it into their course(s). One faculty
member called about the Ozanam Scholars Program noting that, “I
have an Ozanam student in my class and she is a delight, which
encouraged me to call and get more information.” With the beginning
of classes, several students have already come by the office to
inquire about service-learning and individual staff members meet
with each one to provide the information he/she needs to get
started. Mr. Saavedra has, at the request of faculty, started to do
presentations in various classes to inform students about the
Academic Service-Learning Program. He will continue to do this as
requested. Ms. Melanie Serge-Roth is available for presentations in
the classes which meet before 9A.M., and Ms. Janet Mangione will do
evening class presentations.
The ultimate goal is to link students’ course material with
real-life experiences as an outgrowth of developing the core values
of the Vincentian charism…and the year is off to a wonderful
start!