Academic Service-Learning at Eastern Michigan University

Office of Academic Service-Learning

What Is Academic Service-Learning?

Academic Service-Learning is a teaching methodology that utilizes community service as a means of helping students gain a deeper understanding of course objectives, acquire new knowledge, and engage in civic activity.

The mission of the EMU Office of Academic Service-Learning is to build an infrastructure that will support students, faculty, administrators, and community members in their efforts to implement academic service-learning. The Office of Academic Service-Learning provides several services to its constituents:

Faculty Fellow Seminars are offered each fall and winter. Six selected faculty are released quarter-time to participate in a semester-long weekly seminar. Fellows learn academic service-learning theory, implementation and assessment.
A Resource Center located in the Office of Academic Service-Learning provides journals, books and other publications related to academic service-learning. A number of electronic resources are also available through the office via the Internet.
Workshops and Seminars are also available through our Office. These events provide faculty with strategies to help implement academic service-learning in courses and to conduct community-based action research.
Training and Technical Support is available to regional and national, and international, K-12 and higher education insitutes.
Community Partners are identified and fostered with the assistance of office staff. Interested faculty can work with the office to contact and partner with agencies and community sites. A database with profiles of available sites is maintained by the office.
Research Opportunities are available for faculty and students through the office. Information on current research, publishing opportunities, and conference presentations is also available. Staff assistance is provided for data collection and literature reviews.
Grant Opportunities are available through the Office of Academic Service-Learning. Keep informed about grants pertaining to academic service-learning.
Networking is available through our Office. Faculty have the opportunity to meet one on one and discuss important decisions about your courses, find valuable information, share ideas and keep up to date on any news events. Through this interaction, faculty from partnerships and supportive networks and engage in collaborative scholarship.

Outreach Programs

The Office of Academic Service-Learning has also developed several grant-based programs to serve the youth and community of Ypsilanti. Among these programs are:

YYEA (Ypsilanti Youth Empowered to Act) including Crosstown Theatre Troupe and the YYEA Action Board
The B. Side: The Business Side of Youth with B. Side Basics, Young Moguls, B. Side Enterprises and more.
Michigan Service Scholars - EMU student teachers who complete 300 hours of service to their school and create an AS-L program in their classroom and will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship, otherwise known as an educational award, to be used for qualified educational purposes.

What is our contact information?

Jessica "Decky" Alexander
Director, Office of Academic Service-Learning
219 Rackham
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti MI 48197
734.487.6570