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Sonoma SERVES Sonoma State University

Sonoma SERVES Sonoma State University. Year of Service Program: Engaging Students in Service as AmeriCorps Members to Bring Meaning and Purpose to Educational Choices. Components of Sonoma SERVES.

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Sonoma SERVES Sonoma State University

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  1. Sonoma SERVESSonoma State University Year of Service Program: Engaging Students in Service as AmeriCorps Members to Bring Meaning and Purpose to Educational Choices

  2. Components of Sonoma SERVES • Partnership between Sonoma State University, the California Institute on Human Services, and local schools to involve University students as AmeriCorps members in support of community schools and families. • The California Institute on Human Services is an Institute of Sonoma State whose mission is to bring the resources of the University to the community to address human service issues. • Participating students take a course or series of courses that support their learning and provide opportunities for reflection. • Students become AmeriCorps members which focuses on making a difference in the community. AmeriCorps members also receive a living allowance and education award for their year of service.

  3. Student Participation • Each year, over 100 students participate in a significant service experience through AmeriCorps and all take a service learning course to expand their learning and reflection opportunities. • The Year of Service program with SSU’s Hutchins Liberal Studies department involves a cohort of 10-15 students each year.

  4. Year of Service Activities • Participating students serve at 1 of 7 local partner schools, providing reading tutoring, after school mentoring, and family literacy support from 10 AM - 6 PM.

  5. Courses -- Hutchins Year of Service • Fall Semester • LIBS302 Intro to Liberal Studies (at SSU) • LIBS304 We Hold These Truths (at School Site) • LIBS 312 School in American Society (Online) • ED291 Seminar for Tutors (at SSU & School Site) • Spring Semester • LIBS308 Practice of Culture (at SSU) • LIBS321A Sociocultural Context of Education (at School Site) • ED470 Multicultural Pedagogy (Online) • EDUC291 Seminar for Tutors (at SSU & School Site)

  6. Participating Students Graduation Rate

  7. Themes that affect Student RetentionBean (2005) • Social factors • Grades and academic performance • Psychological and attitudinal factors • Institutional fit and commitment • Student’s background • Money and finance • Bureaucratic factors • External environment • Intentions

  8. Themes from Qualitative Analysis of Participating Student Reflections • Being a mentor/role-model was empowering and helped develop confidence and leadership skills. • Helping others to learn and really making a difference in someone’s life has truly enriched my own. • The experience has tempered my skills in working with children and being an effective mentor. • This experience has changed my life completely in a great way. I am now a person with more confidence, I am motivated to do well in life, and make a difference every time I have the opportunity, especially with children.

  9. The learning experience was invaluable: • I am gaining strong skills in working with other adults and children in a school setting. • I have learned a lot about what it takes to work with others, both with younger children and my own peers. • I’m taking away so many skills that I will use in all aspects of my life and career. • Students are making connections with the community in new and important ways: • Through AmeriCorps, I have experienced being a part of my community in ways that I never imagined existed. • We contributed to the community as a team and also taught our kids the importance of community involvement. • I feel that I had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children I interacted with.

  10. Year of Service and Student Retention • The Year of Service experience: • Increases participants’ sense of belonging to a community. • Increases bonds with other students. • Helps students to hone in on a career choice and academic pathway. • Develops participants’ confidence in their abilities. • Encourages students to take on leadership roles and promotes the importance of meeting commitments and achieving goals.

  11. Summary • Meaningful connections to the community • Increased clarity in career/life goals • Vital early experience and skill development • = More Graduation

  12. Future Directions • Engage more departments, particularly those with teacher track programs. • Continue to integrate the program with the campus Center for Community Engagement. • Promote the program and service learning to potential new students as a unique and meaningful experience at SSU.

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