Center for Service Learning & Civic Engagement
Welcome to The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement where we promote the TSU motto of "Think. Work. Serve."
Connecting YOUto the Community
The Center serves to connect students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners in developing service activities that are mutually beneficial to all. Service activities may be strictly volunteer community service, civic engagement activities, or service-learning. And what are the differences in “service”?
Community Service
Is defined as action taken which will meet the needs of others and make the community better;
Civic Engagement
Can be of individual or group effort to identify and address issues of public concern (e.g., homelessness, voting);
Service-Learning
Sometimes called engaged learning, is an organized method of teaching in which students use knowledge gained in the classroom and apply that knowledge in an appropriate setting. The duration should be sufficient to produce meaningful learning and service outcomes.
Engaging the Student
via Service
Service is one of the TSU Core Values which also includes Excellence, Learning, Accountability, Integrity, Shared Governance, and Access. Our Mission is to facilitate quality educational experiences through community-based service-learning. The Center connects campus and community resources to create diverse learning experiences and to serve community needs. Its programs integrate the academic, service, and reflection components of service-learning by providing resources–including training and technical assistance to students, faculty, and the community. One of our five strategic goals is that of engagement – highlighting TSU’s commitment to its service mission through engagement in community service, land-grant activities, and international education.
Our Program Excellence
Carnegie Foundation
In recognition of the institution’s focus on service and service-learning, in 2011 the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized Tennessee State University for the Community Engagement Classification!
Local Community Champion
The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement congratulates Tennessee State University for achieving accolades in all categories of the Mayor’s Workplace Challenge, 2014.
Local Well-Being Advocate
The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement congratulates Tennessee State University for achieving accolades in all categories of the Mayor’s Workplace Challenge, 2014.