Thematic LEAP- Service Emphasis

Service LEAP is a learning community for first year students who are interested in learning through service, and working towards adding the “Service-Learning Scholar” designation to their graduation diploma.

Service LEAP offers an optional add-on hour of service learning credit.

LEAP recognizes that service is an important part of a balanced learning experience, especially since the LEAP curriculum focuses on the theme of Community. Service experiences not only help students to enrich what they learn from reading, but they also look very good on any resume.

Service LEAP focuses on service-learning as opposed to service. Both service and service-learning are important. However, service-learning is different in that it needs to tie to the curriculum of the class and enhance it. Students aren’t just bestowing service to the community, but they are putting themselves in situations where they can learn something as well. That reciprocal dynamic is crucial. In the case of LEAP, students can study community, form community in their LEAP class, and then move out into the greater community for service-learning. It’s a nice experience

Like other LEAP sections, Service LEAP classes are small, have a Peer Advisor, focus on critical reading and writing, are content based, and teach research skills. They fill one Humanities credit, one Social Science credit, and the University diversity credit. Unlike other LEAP sections, however, in Service LEAP a significant portion of class requirements focus on service hours, a written reflection paper, and participation in a reflection session at the end of each semester.

Service-learning opportunities may vary from year to year, depending on the needs of the community. One section of Service LEAP partners with West High School to “increase awareness of higher education” among students who might not otherwise consider continuing on to the University. This program, LEAP to the U, has been in operation since 2003. Students in other sections might tutor adult ESL students at Highland High School, or Horizonte. Still others might mentor children from refugee families.

Service-learning challenges the student to define “education” differently. It also reminds us that one person actually can make a difference.