The American Association of Community Colleges defines service-learning as “the combination of community service and classroom instruction, with a focus on critical, reflective thinking as well as personal and civic responsibility.”

Students at Cascadia are encouraged to enroll in service-learning courses in which they will combine community service with academic instruction to develop their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community.  

According to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, quality service-learning experiences:

• Emphasize thoughtful collaboration between students, faculty, and community partners to address actual community needs
• Include time for students to think, write and dialogue with others about the service experience
• Provide opportunities to practice newly acquired skills
• Enhance course content by extending student learning beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom

The Service-Learning Center is located in the library on the third floor in room 307 across the sky bridge. Office hours are by appointment Monday through Friday. Staff can be reached at (425) 352-8555. You may also email Denise Michaels, Service-Learning Coordinator, at dmichaels@cascadia.edu. 

Current Service-Learning Initiatives

AmeriCorps Retention Project

Cascadia is in its third year of participation in the AmeriCorps Retention Project,  a college-based mentoring program, which utilizes service-learning as a strategy to improve the retention of first-generation college students and the academic advancement of disadvantaged and non-traditional college, high school, and middle school students. Through this project, Cascadia students mentor local high school students and participate in leadership development under the guidance of a full-time AmeriCorps member. For more information contact Denise Michaels at dmichaels@cascadia.edu.

Learn and Serve America

Cascadia was selected as a grantee for the Washington Campus Compact Learn and Serve America program that ran from 2007-2009. The goals of the program were to institutionalize service-learning in higher education, improve academic achievement rates of disadvantaged youth, and foster civic skills, attitudes, and behaviors of students. The 2008-09 funding included a Dialogue for Democracy mini-grant to foster civic engagement. Funds also supported collaboration with University of Washington Bothell to strengthen community partnerships and expand service-learning opportunities for students and faculty. The final summary report can be found here. [DOC] For more information contact Denise Michaels at dmichaels@cascadia.edu.

Students in Service

Students in Service  is a part-time AmeriCorps program that offers education voucher awards to college students who participate in community service. Students chose a 300, 450, or 900 hour term of service and commit to a community service site through assistance from service-learning staff. After completion of the service term, students may request an education voucher ranging from $1,000 to $2,362, depending on the number of hours. For more information contact Denise Michaels at dmichaels@cascadia.edu.