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Learning and serving: JCC recognized for students' community service
Each semester, Jackson Community College students reach out into their communities to provide valuable service through what is known as service learning. Those efforts have been recognized by inclusion on the 2008 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes institutions of higher education that encourage and support noteworthy student community service efforts.
JCC emphasizes the important role that service learning plays in students’ education and encourages it in its classes. Students have taken on a variety of projects, including projects such as: reading to Head Start children; being pen pals with elementary students; interviewing community members and compiling a video for the Cascades Revive the Pride campaign; meeting with local middle and high school students to discuss the importance of going to college; music students performed for students at Lyle Torrant Center; nursing students took blood pressure readings of citizens in the community; accounting students assisted with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program; and students in the Alternative Breaks Interest Group traveled to Galveston, Texas, to assist with cleanup and rebuilding after a hurricane.
“I believe the reason we, at JCC, find value in service learning is that the experience increases the relevance of coursework and classroom learning for our students and it also provides opportunities for an understanding of career choices,” said Amy Leighton, assistant director of the Center for Student Success/Service Learning and Civic Engagement. “The service learning opportunity give our student’s a chance to ‘try on’ a profession, or field of study, and see if it fits.
“Furthermore, JCC strives to make a difference in our community and uses service learning as one vehicle to do so. We have a history of believing in the value of serving others and work toward being a service resource for our community.”
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that support innovative and effective community service and service-learning programs. It is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps, and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.
