Mission, Goals and Objectives

Consistent with the mission and strategic plan of the University of New Haven, the purpose of Academic Service-Learning is to foster social responsibility and promote community engagement.  We provide opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to work in partnership with the Greater New Haven Region and beyond for the purpose of exchanging knowledge and resources to strengthen our global society.

The goal of the Service-Learning Office is to assist students in developing into socially responsible and active citizens and to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives.  The Service-Learning Office provides the framework for students to become socially responsible through the following civic learning objectives:

Leadership - students will apply their leadership with or without a formal position

• Understand that leadership is a process
• Develop skills that facilitate the sharing of the leadership roles
• Work with others to develop a shared vision and agenda on community issues
• Understand the importance of accountability and hold themselves and others accountable for their actions

Social Responsibility - students will identify as a member of the community and will take action to address public problems and issues

• Act ethically by applying and creating knowledge for the betterment of society
• Recognize their responsibility to others; locally and globally
• Integrate values and beliefs with career decisions

Cognitive Examination - students will apply their academic knowledge and personal experience to address public problems and issues

• Identify community assets and needs
• Understand community strengths, problems, and resources
• Identify parts and the connections among them as coherent patterns
• Demonstrate an ability to critical examine societal issues using academic knowledge and personal experience

Learning About Self and Others - students will identify personal strengths, values, and goals

• Articulate their beliefs and understand how and why these differ from others
• Respond to the feelings and concerns for others
• Develop their professionals skills related to their career
• Examine their own cultural and social identities and how those shape their values

Community Engagement - students will contribute to their community by advancing its quality of life

• Contributions will be made through political and non-political processes 
• Understand the importance of participation in the democratic process
• Recognize and work effectively with contradictions
• Apply their knowledge to community issues