Gadsden State Community College
Cause Area
- Community
Location
1001 Wallace DriveP.O. Box 227Gadsden, AL 35902 United StatesOrganization Information
Mission Statement
Broadening Horizons Through Service Learning Project Joining Learning with Life--Service Learning responds to students' desire to be in the world, learning from experience as well as classes, and to put their education to use for the good of others. Service Learning integrates community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Service learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility and commitment to the community.
Description
The Service Learning program at GSCC includes LASERs (students involved in community service for tuition scholarships), Summer Environmental Institute participants (high school students engaged in the study of area environmental practices), students enrolled in ORI 101 (Community Awareness Through Service Learning), and those in various academic and/or technical disciplines which offer a SL option. Currently these courses include industrial engineering, electrical wiring, and carpentry in the technical division and English, humanities, and nursing in the academic division. Some of the students are engaged in short-term commitments of 15-20 hours per semester while others volunteer over a longer period of time. Community agencies have greatly benefited from the number of volunteer hours GSCC students have contributed. The College has been able to fulfill its mission of serving the community by educating students academically and technically while creating in them a sense of social awareness and civic responsibility. In addition, GSCC Student Service Corps, generously funded by private, business, and industry individuals and groups, provides assistance to students who earn too much money to qualify for financial aid but not enough to afford college. In exchange for community / college weekly service performed for two semesters, Corps members -- known as LASERS -- receive tuition credit.