Be in the new Guide to Service-Learning Colleges and Universities

Posted by on May 14, 2007

I’m Julianne Salisbury, the Director of Beyond the Books, the newest initiative of Student Horizons, Inc (<a href="http://www.studenthorizons.com">http://www.studenthorizons.com</a>). Beyond the Books recognizes that active experiences outside the classroom are increasingly important to student learning. Through this project, we will build a website and guidebook series to create pathways for colleges and universities to spotlight their experiential learning programs for prospective students and parents. We plan to highlight service-learning, career exploration, study abroad, undergraduate research, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities.

Today we are announcing the opportunity for colleges and universities that excel at offering quality service-learning programs to apply for inclusion in The Guide to Service-Learning Colleges and Universities.

The Guide will profile four-year colleges and universities as well as two-year institutions and community colleges that are leaders in service-learning. To date, 58 schools have been pre-selected for inclusion and about 100 more colleges and universities have received nominations.

Selected institutions show that they integrate community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities while using a deliberate and planned approach in order to fulfill the standards of service-learning.

The guidebook is being compiled through collaboration between the Beyond the Books initiative and its National Advisory Board. General information about service-learning in higher education will be included as introductory material in the Guidebook, based on information resources acquired from the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.

Nominations for inclusion in the guidebook are still being accepted. Selection decisions are made by the advisory board and will be based upon criteria reflecting best practices in service-learning programs. The nomination form is designed to help institutions present a factual description of the scale, scope and goals for service-learning in the context of campus mission and learning goals for students.

I?ve included links to a web-based nomination form and the selection criteria. We ask that you please return the form by May 15 or as soon as possible.

>> Selection Criteria PDF
<a href="http://www.studenthorizons.com/service-learning_selection_criteria.pdf">http://www.studenthorizons.com/service-learning_selection_criteria.pdf</a>

>> Nominate your Institution
PDF version: <a href="http://www.studenthorizons.com/service-learning_nomination_form.pdf">http://www.studenthorizons.com/service-learning_nomination_form.pdf</a>

Web-based version: <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=342083614162">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=342083614162</a>

>> Nominate other Institutions
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=958613737330">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=958613737330</a>

>> Guidebook Plan PDF
<a href="http://www.beyondthebooks.org/Service_Learning_Colleges_and_Universities.pdf">http://www.beyondthebooks.org/Service_Learning_Colleges_and_Universities.pdf</a>

In the next week or so I will circulate the guidebook content outline, marketing plan and distribution strategy. There will be a couple options for presence within the guidebook (inclusion in a listing, or development of a detailed profile). Let me know if you’re interested in this project so that I can keep you in the loop!

Also, if you’re going to be submitting a nomination for your institution or for any other institutions please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Julianne Salisbury
Student Horizons, Inc.
Beyond the Books
301-951-7101 ext. 202
jsalisbury@studenthorizons.com
Bio: <a href="http://studenthorizons.com/bios/salisbury_bio.html">http://studenthorizons.com/bios/salisbury_bio.html</a>
Blog: <a href="http://studenthorizons.com/BTB/blog.html">http://studenthorizons.com/BTB/blog.html</a>