Service Learning

Service Learning combines community service and classroom knowledge, focusing on critical thinking and personal & civic responsibility.

Administered by the Office of Academic Affairs, and driven by MWCC faculty, Service Learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community. By developing reciprocal partnerships, the program strives to serve the community and enrich and expand the students’ educational and civic engagement experiences.  

Over 1,200 MWCC students have participated in Community-Based Learning experiences, performing over 7,000 hours of service to the community.

Helpful Service Learning Resources

• Service Learning CORI request
• Service Learning Contract
• Service Learning Timesheet
• Service Learning Assumption of Risk
• Service Learning at MWCC PowerPoint Presentation

For more information, contact Melissa Fama, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, at m_fama@mwcc.mass.edu or (978) 630-9288. 

Students on Service Learning

Getting involved with civic engagement at MWCC has been a wonderful experience! I am expanding my leadership skills, making new friends, gaining a terrific sense of pride that I am making a difference in the local community and having fun!

From Lea Ann Erickson's Massachusetts & The Federal System class

My civic engagement involvement has helped me to realize that I not only want to work for a local company when I graduate, but I want to work for a local company that promotes a community-oriented philosophy and culture so that I continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
-Kelly Clark

From Susan Goldstein's English Composition I class

Students worked with the Community Development Corporation in Gardner to interview clients, staff, volunteers, and community members and then wrote persuasive essays that could be used for grant applications, advertising, brochures, and newsletters.

I interviewed a staff member who works at the House of Peace and Education (HOPE) in Gardner. I was so impressed with her that after the interview, I signed up as a volunteer.

I now believe that the Community Development Corporation (CDC) may be one of the most helpful organizations in our community. This experience really opened my eyes as to who is really helping the people in our city.

At first I was nervous about interviewing someone. I have never done that before. But the person I interviewed was really friendly and I learned a lot about what's going on in my community.

Truthfully, I dreaded this assignment. It sounded too hard and even boring. But it was actually a lot of fun. I really like meeting these people. And I like finding out how the CDC really helps people.

From Ray Rogers' Microcomputer Database Management Systems class

Students ran a computer help center on campus.

I found this experience to be very rewarding in the sense that it felt good to possess the computer knowledge to help someone with his or her problem(s).-Gary Carpenter

It was fantastic to be able to help someone learn something that I have already gained the knowledge of. In a sense, I sort of felt like a teacher in that brief period of aiding someone with his or her issues and that feeling was great.-Gary Carpenter

From participating in the Computer Help Center project I have learned to be quick to think . . . This program has been fun and dedicating. I enjoy working with different people and trading computer knowledge with them. What was most gratifying about this project was the reaction from people who came in for my help. I have never seen anyone so gratified over finding their 3 1/2 in. floppy disk. But the greatest reward is learning, teaching, and sharing knowledge about a computer.-Jennifer Lee

I enjoyed trying to identify the learning style of each client, seeing the "click" when I found the style they wanted to learn in, and seeing them accomplish what they wanted to. It was very satisfying to work with the "how" client and see that person retain the knowledge and make connective leaps to think things through and them on his or her own. For me, it was almost like sculpting, but in the brain instead of clay. First I explained and made something, then I got to watch the client take the clay and create. -Czigane Haines