History
The Nebraska Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education received its first grant from Learn and Serve America in 1997. Beginning with five member institutions, the Consortium now consists of twenty four institutions. With the addition of the University of South Dakota in 2002, the Consortium dropped Nebraska from its name and became the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education. To date, more than 500 faculty members have rewritten their curriculum to include service-learning; member instoitutions have improved infrastructure; cross-campus dialogue about service-learning has increased; and member institutions have developed programs that have received national attention.
The original grant identified eight primary objectives to support four key needs; faculty development, student development, institutional infrastructure, and technical assistance and resources. Member institutions advance in each area through the following activities: faculty training at individual institutions, in regional settings and in an annual Consortium conference; student leadership institutes at individual institutions, in regional settings and at an annual conference, development of replicable model programs for utilization of member institutions and at a diverse group of institutions nation-wide; grants to institutions and individual faculty members to integrate service-learning into the curriculum, reserach efforts, alternative break and co-curricular programs; partnerships with volunteer service commissions, departments of education and AmeriCorps*VISTA.
Examples of programs funded through the Consortiums sub-grant process include a four-day faculty training institute broadening faculty knowledge through classroom participation and immersion in a community service-learning project, a Service-Learning Advisory Board who developed criteria to determine if courses qualify as designated service-learning curriculum, a co-curricular service-learning program attracting national attention, and a web-based service-learning course.
Looking to the Future
During late fall 2003, the Midwest Consortium for Service Learning in Higher Education received another Learn and Serve grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, to further support and expand service learning on college campuses in Nebraska and South Dakota (http://www.unl.edu/pr/2003/1103/112503dnews.html). The grant project extends over a three-year time period and is designed for (i) increasing the l evel of commitment, partnerships, support, and communication from member institutions; (ii) expanding and diversifying the base of faculty involved in service-learning; (iii) providing students with quality service-learning, emphasizing civic engagement; and (iv) improving relationships with communities. To accomplish these objectives, grant funds are distributed to consortium member institutions through a sub-grant process operated from the Student Involvement Office at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln . Member campuses will use the funds to certify community agencies, directly serve community members, and increase service learning opportunities for students. Emphasis is placed on services to immigrants, refugees, and residents living in poverty; however, other community services (such as activities for public safety and environmental issues) are also encouraged. The Consortium has a Steering Committee and a Board of Directors designated to work with the Executive Director and other staff members to provide direction for the Consortium.
