Office of Academic Service-Learning
The Office of Academic Service Learning is on hiatus until we determine the best way to continue to support credit bearing community-based engaged learning opportunities as part of the University's broader commitment to the Omaha community.
Please contact RenePadilla@creighton.edu, Vice Provost for Global Engagement, if you have questions about your ACL-designated course or are interested in obtaining that designation in the future.
The Office of Academic Service-Learning (OASL) connects academic courses with community partners to enhance academic learning, meet community-identified needs, and foster global perspectives through engagement and reflection.
Academic service learning is an experiential educational strategy that integrates community service into academic courses so that learning is enhanced and community partners receive concrete benefits. Students study, serve and reflect on their experience in order to deepen their appropriation of knowledge.
Whether you are a student, faculty member, or community partner, the OASL is here to help you find opportunities to serve and learn in the community!
Community Partnerships
Partnering with Creighton to support one or more of our academic service learning classes offers community-based organizations the opportunity to draw on the talents, time, and knowledge of Creighton students and faculty.
Rooted in the concepts of mutuality and collaboration, community partners act as co-educators for our students, sharing your knowledge of complex social issues with them and mentoring them in the kind of world-changing work that you do. This mutuality and collaboration it is at the core of how Creighton’s Office of Academic Service Learning seeks to structure our academic service learning partnerships.
Becoming a Community Partner
Interested in forming a partnership with Creighton's academic service learning program? Do you have a project idea that you think would be a good fit for Creighton students? Are you just looking for student volunteers?
Complete our Community Partnership contact form and we'll be in touch with you to get your idea out to the Creighton community!
What to expect from Academic Service Learning
An academic service-learning partnership is generally characterized by the following:
- Creighton students serve with partner organizations up to 40 hours over an approximate 10-15 week period in spring, summer or fall semesters.
- Creighton students serve with a variety of nonprofit and/or public organizations, with a special emphasis on those organizations which embody a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.
- Student service can take several forms.
- Student service must be connected to the academic content of the class.
- Student service is aligned with the academic learning goals of the class in order to facilitate deeper, richer learning.
- Academic service learning should advance student learning and your organization's priorities.
Creighton is a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Global Campus. As a faith-based international non-governmental organization with a presence in more than 100 countries, CRS offers many opportunities for universities to contribute to poverty alleviation. Throught this partnership, Creighton faculty, staff, and students will enhance our educational, humanitarian, and research activities in service to the world's most vulnerable populations.
CRS University | Engagement Opportunities
Institutional
Creighton's CRS Global Campus designation provides faculty, students, and administrators the opportunity to integrate the practice of global solidarity into the life of the institution. As a Global Campus, we will form an interdisciplinary advisory group of faculty and staff which will meet bi-annually. The committee will facilitate campus communications, coordinate and promote CRS programs, events, and activities, advise CRS on programmatic improvements and new opportunities on campus, and ensure impact assessment and evaluation. Please contact René Padilla for more information.
Faculty
Creighton's CRS Global Campus designation provides the opportunity to enrich academic programs through information from, and interaction with, CRS experts working on the front lines of global issues. At least 3 faculty members per year from Creighton will participate in the CRS Faculty Learning Commons (FLC) and promote the program among their colleagues. The FLC is an online learning community and curricular resource that highlights the latest strategies for global relief and development with special emphasis on the application of CRS' justice lens and opportunities for building global solidarity. Please contact Tom Kelly for more information.
Students
Creighton students can join a national network of other students taking action to combat global poverty and build justice and peace. Through the CRS Student Ambassador Program, Creighton students get involved in educational and advocacy activities that help the poor overseas. Student leaders will be trained by CRS to mobilize their peers and bring to life the mission of global solidarity on campus. Chapters attend trainings and are connected to one another and to CRS in order to build a national movement for impactful change. Creighton’s CRS Ambassador Program is coordinated by the John P. Schlegel Center for Service and Justice. Please contact Kelly Tadeo Orbik for more information.
Human Trafficking Course Materials
Human Trafficking is our CRS Faculty Learning Commons theme for 2018-2019. It explores the challenges and effective responses to modern-day slavery, notably through forced labor and sex trafficking. We are happy to announce that the final module on "Human Trafficking and Catholic Social Teaching" has been released. It provides and in-depth look at the Church's teachings and interventions as they address the needs of survivors and the root causes of trafficking. The complete series of academic modules is listed below, and are all now available for flexible and free use in your classroom.
- Human Trafficking: An Overview
- Root Causes of Human Trafficking
- Complexities of Labor Trafficking
- Complexities of Sex Trafficking
- Other Manifestations of Modern Slavery
- Effective Responses to Human Trafficking
- Human Trafficking and Catholic Social Teaching
Thank you for partnering with CRS in ensuring that your classroom develops educated global citizens and leaders!