Daemen College : Offices & Services : Academic Service Learning : About Us
About Us
The Office of Service Learning is located in the Wick Campus Center, Room 206, on the Daemen Campus. Staffed by one Coordinator and work study student assistants, the office provides guidance and assistance year-round to hundreds of students who choose to engage in service learning projects in one of Daemen’s three adopted disadvantaged communities (Seneca Babcock community, West Side community, the Fruit Belt community) or at another Daemen sponsored service placement. Within these urban communities, students serve, learn, and gain the leadership, cross-cultural, and communication skills necessary to become civic-minded individuals prepared to contribute to their families and society.
Our Mission
Service Learning at Daemen College shall provide opportunities for students to become engaged learners and informed citizens, prepared to play productive roles in their local and global communities both as effective participants and leaders. This will be accomplished through academic coursework which connects students to disadvantaged communities and integrates active service participation with structured reflection on these experiences.
The W’s of Service Learning
What is Service Learning
Service-learning is an educational experience that goes beyond volunteering. Service-learning connects students to the community by integrating academic curriculum with active participation in service, offering structured opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences, and striving to ensure that the service placements are mutually beneficial to students, the organizations, and the community as a whole.
Who Participates in Service Learning
The Daemen College curriculum requires every undergraduate student complete a minimum of one three-credit hour academic service learning course prior to graduation. This requirement is fulfilled through a combination of academic course assignments such as text readings, journaling, reflection papers, and in class discussions and presentations AND 20 hours of service in a selected community agency for each credit hour of the service learning course – i.e., 20 service hours X 3 credit hours = 60 service hours total. Another option is completion of three separate one-credit add-ons to existing courses with 20 hours of service for each course.
When are Service Placements Offered
Service opportunities are offered Monday through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Typically, a student will complete four hours per week – two hours per day, two days per week OR four hours one day per week.
Where are Students Placed
Daemen’s three adopted disadvantaged communities include: the Seneca Babcock community, the West Side, and the Fruit Belt. View a complete list of placements within these communities as well as other Daemen sponsored service placements.
Why Service Learning
Relevant and meaningful service performed in disadvantaged communities: a) benefits the community partners; b) allows faculty to address multiple and varied student learning needs; and c) enhances students’ academic and personal learning and growth, and heightens their civic responsibility.
For more information or questions contact:
Susan M. Marchione, Service Learning Coordinator
smarchio@daemen.edu
(716) 839-8447
Visit Us!
That’s the best way to really get a feel for what Daemen is all about! Daemen is located in suburban Amherst, New York just minutes away from the city of Buffalo. To schedule a weekday individual interview and tour the campus, email us admissions@daemen.edu or call 800.462.7652.