Service learning in a community college

The purpose of this study was to assess the service learning (SL) efforts currently in place at a two-year community college in Los Angeles County, California. The study identified the characteristics of SL and ascertained the extent to which these characteristics aligned with best practices of SL and recommended strategies for increasing SL at this college.; One hundred and fifty-six faculty members responded to the SL survey that was distributed to all 729 full- and part-time faculty at the college. Thirty-nine respondents indicated they were utilizing SL. The findings of this group showed SL was in 9 out of the 10 college divisions. These SL programs reflected the primary characteristics commonly used in service learning. A total of 82% of the faculty encouraged students to participate in SL, 63% identified SL sites and 55% participated in SL activities. Findings for this group also showed that 53% of the female faculty used SL compared to 33% for male faculty. Women and men were about equal for full-and part-time faculty.; Fourteen faculty were interviewed for an in-depth study of SL. The findings of this group showed 93% of the faculty encouraged students to work in the community to promote civic responsibility, 78% of these faculty combined SL in their courses, 78% collaborated with community partners to improve and assist those in need, 53% worked closely with community groups. The average years for teaching for these faculty was 22 with an average of 17 years at the college studied. These faculty members used SL for an average of 16 years, showing a high commitment to SL pedagogy. This study concluded that SL is driven by faculty committed to community service, student success, and teaching by putting theory into practice.