Service Learning

Do you want to make a difference in your community but aren't sure how? Do it through education! Take what you've learned in the classroom and give back to your community through service learning.

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what is service learning

see to succeed event. see to succeed is a service learning opportunity for san jac students

Service learning combines community service with classroom learning to create a meaningful educational experience. It encourages you to think critically about your service and how it connects to your coursework, helping you to become more involved in your community. Projects linked to specific learning goals can affect your grades and can happen both in and out of the classroom.

Benefits of Service Learning

Makes

learning relevant through real world experiences.

Enables

personal growth and development, additional academic learning, along with improvement in interpersonal skills.

Allows

you to test out learning theories outside of the classroom.

Increases

retention and understanding.

Fosters

goodwill between our college and the community.

Give Back With Service Learning

See to Succeed Service Learning Event
San Jac’s eye care technology and nursing students teamed with eye care professionals to provide Pasadena Independent School District students with free eye screenings, exams, and glasses fittings during See to Succeed. More than 1,300 Pasadena ISD students participated, with 97% receiving glasses during the weeklong event.

This service learning project not only provides valuable eye exams to local children but also educates San Jac students on career-specific skill sets, such as communicating with patients and collaborating with other health care providers.”

Courtney Morris

Senior Communications Projects Coordinator

San Jacinto College eye care technology students helped make a difference in local kids’ classroom success through See to Succeed. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate upon graduation.

Check out some of our incredible service learning projects going on across San Jac campuses.

ENGL 1301

engl 1301 Students apply their skills in reading and composition to writing greeting cards to senior citizens across the nation.

BIOL 1307

HIST 1301

ARTS 1316

SPCH 1315

HIST 1302

ENGL 1302

engl 1301 Students apply their skills in reading and composition to writing greeting cards to senior citizens across the nation.

Students identify, document, and catalogue species of birds and amphibians that reside or migrate through Sheldon Lake State Park as part of a larger study to document biodiversity in Texas and this region of the country.

Students contribute to the conservation & preservation of the Battleground, Museum, and Library at the San Jacinto Monument.

arts 1316 Students create drawings to complement writing on greeting cards from the English 1301 course's cards for seniors and cancer patients.

Students volunteer at the Houston Food Bank and deliver an informative speech about the value of helping others.

Students volunteer at a local senior citizen home to record and transcribe stories of veterans.

Students write letters to cancer patients ages 18 - 35, and learn about the value of perseverance in their lives through text and service.

Bring Smiles to Seniors' partnership with San Jacinto College benefits both students and seniors. By sharing personalized greeting cards, students make seniors feel valued and loved. This collaboration bridges generations and promotes kindness, teaching students early on the importance of acknowledging and caring for seniors.

Ron Tyson

project founder, Bring Smiles to Seniors

sheldon lake state park service learning

San Jac biology students partnered with Sheldon Lake State Park for their service learning project. This project was broken up into two parts:

Service
- Identified & catalogued species of birds & amphibians
- Planted coastal prairie & wetland plants in restoration areas
- Removed invasive species from restoration areas
Learning
- Identified the major phyla of life with an emphasis on plants & animals, including the basis for classification, structural and physiological adaptations, evolutionary history, and ecological significance.
- Described basic animal physiology and homeostasis as maintained by organ systems.

Unsure on what service learning is about? Check out some our frequently asked questions for an answer!

What is the difference between service learning and volunteerism?

Service learning focuses directly on applying class material to a real world service project. Students learn through doing.

How much different is a service-learning class from a traditional class on the same subject?

In service-learning at least one of the major assignments involves assisting others in the community. Traditional classes don't always have this component, but both types of courses cover the same learning objectives.

Is there additional work required?

At least 10 hours of a semester long class will be devoted to working with a community partner. The 10 hour bench mark can be met through both in class and out of class time.

Do I get any special recognition for taking this course?

Yes; not only will you gain valuable and marketing skills, but you will have the opportunity to give back to the community. This will provide networking opportunities among peers and the community.

Is there any extra cost associated with taking a service-learning course?

No; the service learning related materials are provided for you with your tuition. You may, however, incur nominal gasoline costs in the event the community partner is off-site.

Have an idea for a service learning project or know of an organization that needs help? Contact us, and we will try to work with you to develop a project.