Service Learning

Learning by Doing (Corporal Works of Mercy)

At Donnelly, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom and into the community. As part of our Service Learning initiative, your instructors will incorporate meaningful service that targets real-world needs.

Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience; teaching civic responsibility and strengthening communities.

As part of the Donnelly mission and Strategic Plan, service-learning activities incorporate the corporal works of mercy found in the teachings of Jesus Christ and give students a model of how they should treat all human beings. It is a tradition at Donnelly to host a Day of Service at the beginning of each academic year. During this event, students fulfill our mission by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and incarcerated, burying and honoring the dead and giving alms to the poor.

Honors Service-Learning Project

The Donnelly College Honors Service-Learning Project aims to give associate and nursing-certificate students valuable real-world experience and encourages them to use their skills to serve others. There are several ways to earn this designation which will be recognized at graduation with an honor cord and noted on students' transcripts. Students must complete the volunteer requirements prior to November 30 for the fall graduation date and April 1 for the spring graduation date. Courses in progress will count for the designation.

Bachelor degree-seeking students are NOT eligible for the service-learning honor cord.

The following checklist is to be completed annually by students taking service-learning courses or participating in service-learning designated activities. Students must fulfill option A, B and/or C requirements listed below for a service-learning graduation cord.

Option A: Students take three service-learning designated courses within a degree program.
- The Registrar must designate these courses as SL.
Option B: Students take two service-learning designated courses within a degree program and complete three of the following volunteer activities:
- Students may volunteer (5 hours) at: SHINE, 1Day4Donnelly, Dragon Week service activity, library, Campus Cupboard and/or a non-profit organization.
- Students must complete a SL reflection form after each volunteer activity and obtain a supervisor’s signature.
- The Registrar must designature these as a service-learning activity.
Option C - NURSING: two 12-hour shifts are eligible for the Honors Service-Learning Project.

Only those students who complete this application will be considered for official service-learning status. Download a PDF checklist here.

NOTE: ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AND A DECISION WILL BE DETERMINED WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION. DOCUMENTATION MAY BE REQUIRED FOR SERVICE-LEARNING ACTIVITIES AS PROOF OF COMPLETION.