Regis College Center for Service Learning

Regis College
Center for Service Learning

Abbreviation	CSL
Location	Regis University, Denver
Directors	Paul Burson Melissa Nix Kathryn Redmond[1]
Affiliations	Jesuit, Catholic
Website	RCCSL

Regis College Center for Service Learning (CSL) at Regis University, Denver, Colorado, facilitates student voluntary service, the development of service learning components in coursework,^[2] and placement among the needier members of society for those with work study awards. These are essential components of the University's mission to train men and women for others.^[3]

Mission

CSL has as its mission to assist students to find their talent or ability to impact the community for the better.^[4] Beyond narrower course objectives, the program aims to broaden students' understanding of social justice issues at the local level and beyond.^[5][6] With a view to the background of most of the students at the University, students are placed in situations of direct contact with the marginalized, to acquaint them with structures that deprive people of the full opportunity to develop their potential.^[7] These goals are in line with the Regis University's vision of training men and women for others.^[3][8] The Templeton Guide placed Regis among the top 100 universities and colleges that "Encourage Character Development."^[9]

Volunteer program sampling

• Spring Break & Other Immersion Programs.^[10] These are to the Denver and Fort Morgan immigrant and refugee communities,^[11] to the Dominican Republic, to Immokalee (Florida), and to Appalachia.^[12] International trips at Spring Break have included Mexico, Ethiopia, and Nicaragua.^[13][14]
• Custodial ESL Program. This connects with cultural communities to enhance English language skills.^[15]
• Father Woody's Service Projects. Several dedicated vans are used to deliver supplies to the underserved in the city – the homeless, the elderly, and youth.^[16]
• Regis/Skinner Outreach Program. This pairs Regis and Skinner Middle School students for mentoring.^[17]
• Romero House. An alternate living arrangement where students follow a simple lifestyle with like-minded students who are intent on serving others.^[18]
• CEO Storytelling Project. Through this Community Education Outreach, students assist those released from prisons with educational and employment assistance, as well as sharing their stories.^[19]
• Engaged Scholar Activist Program. Students become advocates and assistants in the service learning program, extending the arm of the staff into the classroom and strengthening leadership in various aspects of the CSL program.^[20]

Service-learning courses

The Center facilitates a service-learning program,^[21] which involves 10 different areas of study as well as seminar classes and immersion trips. A sampling would include Criminology, Globalization, Ecology & Responsibility; Juvenile Justice; Refugees, Resettlement & Resources; Environmental Ethics; and Teach our Children Well,^[22] and includes a Service Learning Program.^[21][23] In one course, groups of three visit an Hispanic immigrant family for 2 hours weekly and are immersed in the realities of the immigrant life.^[24][25] Service learning opportunities are open also to those in the government work study program.^[22]

En/Route is an alternative program for freshmen at Regis, consisting in four linked courses: in fall the writing seminar "Writing for Social Justice"; in spring either "Philosophical Explorations" or "Speech Communication"; and in both semesters "Service/Community-Based Learning".^[26] All elements are meant to assist students to form a critical view of "the good life", integrating the Jesuit ideal of "eloquentia perfecta"^[27] with that of forming men and women for others.^[3]

Community-based work study

CSL assists students to find meaningful work to fulfil their state or federal work study requirement, gaining experience that may influence their career choice or broaden their understanding of the possibilities in their chosen career. Placements are available with children and with the poor, with the homeless and with the elderly, and with other groups of needy people.^[28]

References

1. D. Butin. Service-Learning in Higher Education: Critical Issues and Directions. Dr, Birge who directed the Regis Center from 1992 to 1997 is featured in this book: see p. xxi.
2. "SLtrailguide.pdf" (PDF).
3. "Men for Others".
4. "Regis University".
5. "ansee%20tribute%20to%20lynne%20montrose.pdf" (PDF).
6. "About".
7. "Service Learning l Mission l Jesuit Education".
8. "15 Best Value Colleges and Universities in Colorado 2015 - Best Value Schools".
9. "College Profiles - Regis University".
10. "Puksta Scholars Program - CU-Boulder".
11. "Regis University students explore diversity in Fort Morgan".
12. "Regis University Students from Denver, CO Conduct Service Learning in West Virginia". 15 December 2011.
13. "Service Learning at Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions".
14. "Contact Us".
15. "ESL".
16. "Regis University Academics -Commitment Program - Student-Led Service - Father Woody's Service Projects".
17. "Outreach".
18. "Called to Service".
19. "Regis College l Service Learning l Jesuit Education".
20. "Engaged Scholar Activist Program - Regis College - Regis University".
21. "College & University Service-Learning Programs".
22. "Courses & Works Study Jobs l Service Learning - Regis College".
23. "Toolkit for faculty" (PDF).
24. Obdulia Castro and Elizabeth Grassi. "Finding the Unfamiliar in Familiar Places" in Becoming Beholders, ed. Karen E. Eifler & Thomas M. Landy. Liturgical Press, 2014, pp. 232-256. ISBN 978-0-8146-8271-5.
25. "From MetroStateCue" (PDF).
26. "En/Route @ Regis".
27. "How to Build a Better Student". 16 May 2011.
28. Work-study. Accessed 4 May 2016.

Coordinates: 39°47′21.33″N 105°1′59.72″W / 39.7892583°N 105.0332556°W