Bunker Hill Community College

Faculty

A Brief History of Service Learning at BHCC:
In 1997, a Learn and Serve grant through Campus Compact helped establish an organized effort to encourage faculty to include Service Learning as a part of their course curriculum. Six faculty accepted the challenge. Massachusetts Campus Compact grants supported the Service Learning program management by providing an AmeriCorps *VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) for the college. Part-time Project Directors and Coordinators have come from interested faculty and staff. Those early leaders recruited additional faculty to expand the concept of service learning as a curricular option. BHCC won the 2002 Campus Compact National Center for Community Colleges’ Service Learning Collaboration Award in the category of Collaboration with K-12 Schools. A renewed effort in 2005 to encourage Service Learning initiatives by increasing the release time for the part-time coordinator, finding a more visible space to establish an office and demonstrating administrative support culminated in the establishment of one of the college wide goals for 2006-2009 to Promote Civic Engagement and Leadership. Approximately 40 faculty are currently incorporating Service Learning components in their classes. Many faculty now are considering ways to implement Service Learning. Within the larger concept of Civic Engagement, Service Learning at BHCC has become a strong part of the many initiatives BHCC is developing.

Where is the program headed?
The Service Learning Program has evolved into an Office of Community Engagement. BHCC is striving to have students be engaged with the college and with the surrounding communities. Service Learning provides an academic arm into the concept of Community Engagement. Service Learning will also be a part of the learning communities created through the “Building The Engaged Campus” initiative. Student volunteerism is active through the SHOCWAVES club, which is supported by this office. Community Partnerships will be developed and expanded to encourage the civic responsibility we would like our students to develop. This expanded focus will be coordinated by a full-time person. Creating a culture of service that enhances learning will take time and a concerted effort of faculty, staff and students. What can you do to help?