University of Missouri Office of Service Learning

Office of Service Learning

Welcome to Service-Learning

The Office of Service-Learning at the University of Missouri is one of the largest and most successful service-learning programs in the country. Our office encourages undergraduate students to learn and develop through active participation in service experiences that are coordinated in collaboration with the University and community. We collaborate with nearly 250 community and partner agencies who take on service-learning students (including businesses, non-profits, and government offices).

Service-Learning is the formal integration of community service into student instruction and learning. Service-learning connects students with the community in partnerships that provide effective and far-reaching assistance to those in need, as well as create valuable learning environments.

Through service to others, students learn valuable lessons in citizenship and are able to apply their classroom knowledge to real-life situations and opportunities. Reciprocity is a crucial part of our program, and we firmly believe the best partnerships are those where both the student and the organization benefit. Most importantly, students are able to serve individuals with real needs and help an organization carry out its mission.

Office of Service-Learning Support

Our office is committed to making sure that the needs of our community agencies and partner organizations are being met by helping them incorporate, oversee and evaluate service-learning students. Taking on service-learning students means that student volunteers will be held accountable to not only their agency, but to our office, their faculty members, and the University as a whole. We not only prepare our students for the professionalism and responsibility that comes with service-learning, but we offer support throughout the year to make sure students follow through on their commitments. Each semester, the Office of Service-Learning:

Conducts on-going assessments of community need;
Works with community agencies to develop projects and internships for service-learning students;
Assists faculty with design and implementation of service-learning courses;
Matches student skill sets to community needs;
Assists students with meaningful and fulfilling service placement according to their interests, time availability, as well as personal and professional goals;
Monitors student progress and problem solves if issues arise;
Advocates student needs at placement site to ensure a successful service experience;
Helps faculty and community agencies evaluate student service;
Helps students evaluate their placement sites to continually improve service experiences for both students and sites;
Circulates volunteer/internship opportunities, as well as community needs, on a campus-wide basis.

We also:

Maintain MU Serves – an online database of area community service opportunities

MU Service-Learning Mission Statement…

To provide opportunities and academic credit for experience-based learning to promote life long commitment to social responsibility and public service. Service-learning at MU strives to develop civic, corporate, and social responsibility while enhancing the students' personal growth and enriching the lives of persons within the community.