Daemen College : Academics & Research : Service Learning

Service Learning

Joining hands between theory and practice – benefiting students and the world at large.

No “ivory tower” here! 

Daemen College sees to it – through our core curriculum and philosophy of 21st century education – that students strike a healthy balance between in-class instruction and hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom.

Our innovative program has been recognized with the Points of Light National Service Award for our commitment and integration of Service Learning!

Typically half our student body participates in service activities. And that’s in addition to the 3-credit Core Curriculum Service Learning requirement. This mandate may find students actively engaged in work with nursing homes, hospitals and clinics, tutoring children, mentoring in city schools, or citywide service activities during spring break.

On local and national levels, students from every field of study and class level participate as individuals or in groups. Projects may be short-lived or long-term, but what they have in common is how they benefit people in need. It could be inner-city school kids battling illiteracy – or children half a world away battling the scarcity of drinking water.

Service Learning is a two-way street, helping fellow citizens while also enhancing students’ critical thinking skills and helping them form values that will guide them all their life. It’s a priceless opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-world contexts, creating a more integrated and richer understanding of course material and objectives.

Service Learning provides

• Hands-on, real world experiences
• Peer bonding
• Leadership development
• Development of responsibility and commitment
• Opportunity to connect education with the world at large
• A chance to assist and learn from others