Since 1998, SFCC has incorporated academic service learning in various courses offered, which gives students the opportunity to use what they learn in the classroom in real-life settings through assigned community service hours.
Academic service learning combines community service with classroom learning and focuses on reflective thinking and civic responsibility. The programs get students involved with events and activities that help connect them to the community they live in, while simultaneously gaining academic skills.
“SFCC is a community college, so we are connected to the community around us,” said Darlene Rickett, an instructor at SFCC who heads the Service learning program. “Service learning really helps students be- come aware of the community they live in and connects them to the people around us who need legitimately need our help.”
Students are able to learn beneficial life skills during their community service work, including career experience, critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills and the opportunity to work with diverse populations. Stu- dents are able to witness and experience real-world issues like poverty and homelessness and develop better understanding of the root causes of these issues.
“I didn’t realize how much people needed help until I worked for SNAP last quarter,” said Drew Henry, first year student at SFCC. “The four hours of service learning work I did for my calculus class really opened my eyes to how good volunteering can actu- ally be.”
The service learning program at SFCC has ties to several large and small non-profit community organizations. Some of the community partners include Daybreak Youth Services and the West Central Community Center. A full list of community partners can be found under the SL link on SFCC’s website.
“We receive several emails on a daily basis from or- ganizations all over the local area, always needing volunteers for certain events or activities,” said Rickett. “If a student has a hectic schedule outside of school, we can still work with them and help them fulfill their class required hours.” Several classes offer academic service learning as a part of the course, however students registering for classes have no way to tell which classes use service learning, because it’s not currently listed in the course description.
“Unfortunately right now, there’s no way to tell which classes have service learning and which don’t,” said Rickett. “We’re hoping to change that someday, and maybe add it to the course description somehow. The classes that offer service learning one quarter may not offer it the next quarter, so it varies.
“If students have questions as to whether or not their class is part of the service learn- ing program they can absolutely call us to find out for sure.” If you have questions about academic service learning you can call Darlene Rickett or Eunice Stimes at (509)533-3308 for more information.