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Center for Civic Engagement

Welcome to the KVCC Center for Civic Engagement. This page provides information to Community Partners, Faculty, and students on the activities of the CCE.

Community Partners
Are you an organization or business interested in partnering with KVCC students and Faculty? Visit the the “What is Service-Learning” and “Becoming a Community Partner” sections below.

Faculty
Are you interested in having students engage more deeply in your class material through civic engagement? Visit the “What is Service-Learning” and “Service-Learning at KVCC” sections below.

Students
Do you have to complete a Service-Learning project for your class? Do you want to enhance your learning and experience through service in the community? Do you have a special project you would like to work on to change the world (a little bit)? Visit the “What is Service-Learning,” “Service Learning at KVCC,” and “Find Service/Volunteer Opportunities” sections below.

Complete the Service-Learning Experience Summary Survey Here

The current COVID-19 pandemic has both created barriers to our students participating in their service projects and increased the need for those who serve.  First and foremost, we support the need for maintaining social distancing and that many organizations and community partners will be limiting their use of volunteers.  That said, there are some emerging needs in our community.

  • With school closings children will be at home.  Many medical workers are going to be in need of child care services.  If you feel comfortable babysitting, this may be an opportunity.
  • Social media may be, for some, their sole connection with others.  Starting a support-group type Facebook site to keep in touch with your classmates and support each other is a great way to serve one another.
  • People in your community may need help with basic tasks such as shopping and household care while they are sick.  Again, practice safely, but you may serve in that capacity.

This is a strange time for all of us, but as our Governor stated, we are Mainers and we will stick together and things will get better.  Above all, follow the guidelines of the CDC and be safe and kind to one another.  We are all going to be under stresses of different kinds.

>CLICK HERE TO FIND SERVICE/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES<

More CCE Information…

Specific information related to the KVCC Center for Civic Engagement.

Mission and Purpose

Mission

The mission of the KVCC Center for Civic Engagement is to educate, inform, excite, and motivate students, faculty and community partners regarding the personal, educational, and societal benefits of integrating Service-Learning and Civic Engagement into one’s personal, academic, and social life.

Purpose

The purpose of the KVCC Center for Civic Engagement is to provide sustainable structure within the college to support the civic mission of the college, to engage the local and wider community, to inform our community members regarding the need for civic engagement, and to support the continued pursuit of justice and equity in our society.

What is Service-Learning?

Defining Service-Learning

Service-Learning describes a teaching method that connects community service with the information and knowledge that one gains in the classroom.  The hyphen (-) between the worlds “service” and “learning” is the key to understanding this concept.

While both “service” and “learning” are essential aspects of Service-Learning, the hyphen implies a “reflective” component as well.  Students who engage in Service-Learning projects are usually tasked with engaging in a deep reflection of their experiences and how they relate to their class, their academic program, their career, and their personal lives.  This reflection is the component that makes Service-Learning the powerful learning experience that it can be!

In addition to reflecting on class content, program, career, and personal impacts, students are asked to reflect upon the impact the experience has had in a number of areas:

  • Personal
  • Interpersonal
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Civic

KVCC is a member of the Maine Campus Compact

Learn more about the National Campus Compact 

Service-Learning at KVCC

Getting Involved

Service-Learning and Civic Engagement are vital aspects of the mission of Kennebec Valley Community College.  Among other outcomes of our definition of the Educated Person, KVCC strives to enabel students to:

“Solve problems and make decisions based upon logical thinking and analytical skills; and respect cultural, ethical, and intellectual diversity as involved members of their communities.“

So what does it take to be an “involved member” of your community?

  • Awareness of social issues and events in your community
  • Personal education as to the facts and diversity of perspectives on these issues
  • Active involvement in the issues you are passionate about

Service-Learning Courses at KVCC

The following courses have integrated Service-Learning as either an optional or required element of the course and have embedded Service-Learning learning outcomes into the course.

The Center for Civic Engagement works in collaboration with these Faculty to help and guide the curriculum and the students.  Feel free to reach out to both your Faculty and the Center for Civic Engagement with any questions.

Business Administration

  • BUS 218 – The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Small Business Management

Mental Health

  • MHT 104 – Community Mental Health
  • MHT 125 – The Changing Workplace
  • MHT 214 – Incest, Sexual Abuse, and Trauma
  • MHT 220 – Case Management

Liberal Studies

  • COM 104 – Introduction to Communication

Occupational Therapy

  • OTS 216 – Occupational Therapy for Special Populations

Physical Therapy

  • PTS 211 – Physical Therapy Assistant III

Psychology

  • PSY 212 – Positive Psychology
  • PSY 213 – Social Psychology
  • PSY 234 – Research Methods

Social Sciences

  • SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology

Service-Learning Resources for Students

Service-Learning Resources for Faculty

Interested in incorporating Service Learning into your course(s)?  The CCE can help with:

  • Defining service learning projects for your course and/or discipline
  • Help assess the effectiveness of your Service-Learning projects in meeting your course and program goals
  • Provide in-class presentations on Service-Learning
  • Help track your students’ service-learning projects
Becoming a Community Partner
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