Service Learning 2012-2013

WEST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Service Learning:

Nurturing A Culture of Selflessness Through Giving

Higher Education Begins Here 2012-2013

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

Kentucky Community & Technical College System

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 31

Service Learning: Nurturing A Culture of Selflessness Through Giving

Service Learning: Nurturing A Culture of Selflessness Through Giving

Table of Contents Most Lessons Learned Are Outside Class

By Tracey Shackelford

Operating Within the World Instead of Reading about It Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell, Vice President of Student Affairs West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Generosity is Giving of Whom You Are:

By Amanda Boyd Opportunity to Be Involved

By Tabitha Neal

Relationship Building is a Crucial Piece of Service Learning

By Barbara Adam

Building a Culture of Giving

By Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell

Learning to Learn

By Angel Rhodes

Page 8

Bring A Smile and Personality to Others in a Positive Way

By Jestean Howard

Promoting Personal Growth

By Chevene Duncan-Herring Tabitha Neal & Family Volunteer Experience

By Tabitha Neal

(2012-2013) Service Learning: A Life Change

By Jennifer Haines

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with

It’s About Giving Back: Helping Those in Need

By Kardata Lott A Lesson in Campus and Culture

By Catosha M. Brown

- Woodrow Wilson 28th U.S. President

Page 26

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Volunteers Bring More Families and Community Together

By Ashley Wright, Executive Director United Way of Paducah-McCracken County

By Jipaum Askew-Robertson and Gail Bachuss Coordinators of WKCTC’s Mentoring Program

Page 3

-- Danny Thomas

Page 4

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 25

Greetings

From an early age I was taught to put the principles of giving into practice by accepting opportunities to volunteer.

I learned the importance of advocating and supporting programs, organizations, and people who strengthen our community. Volunteering has enabled me to build a healthy spirit, conscious mind, and a compassionate heart. It has taught me the importance of understanding and educating myself about the challenges of the community and how we can learn, grow, and thrive by working together.

I teach the Service Learning (GEN 120) course on the WKCTC campus, and also developed and coordinate the college’s Student Ambassador Program. The focus of the GEN 120 course and Student Ambassador Program is to educate students of the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community through structured and community-based volunteer work. Students selected as ambassadors are required to enroll and successfully complete GEN 120. The course is open to all students who desire to experience the power of giving and to make sense of the world around us by taking in new information and negotiating meaning out of those interactions.

Volunteerism, through this course, offers a true understanding of the campus and community culture. The course assists in preparing students for their journey in life and fostering strong leadership skills. Volunteering builds a sense of purpose and a chance to help the community and individuals through the development of compassion, increased begin volunteering, you can earn three hours of college level credits, which can be used toward free electives.

For more information contact Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell, vice president of student affairs, at (270) 534-3081 or Tamara K. Hodges, administrative assistant to the vice president of student affairs, at (270) 534-3069. To register for Technical Building at WKCTC at (270) 534-3408. What are you waiting for?

Respectfully,

Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell Vice President Student Affairs/Service Learning Instructor Paducah, KY 42002-7380

Page 24

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 5

What is Mentoring?

By Jipaum Askew-Robertson and Gail Bachuss Coordinators of WKCTC’s Mentoring Program Mentoring is the act of supporting and encouraging individuals to manage their learning to maximize their potential, develop skills, boost confidence, gain self-awareness, and take responsibility for directing their own lives.

Mentors often rely on having had similar experiences as the mentee to gain empathy and understanding of the mentees circumstances. WKCTC recently embarked on the creation of a campus wide mentoring program, Success Connection . If you would like to become a mentor or mentee access the WKCTC website, click on Student Life and the Mentoring Program link to complete an application and interest form.

Page 6

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 23

What is Service Learning?

United Way Partners

Building a Culture of Giving

By Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell, GEN 120 Instructor

Reading Pals Reading PALS (Partners and Literacy Support) serve as mentors to local elementary school students. Beginning in September, each PAL will be matched with an individual student and will be expected to attend weekly lunches and a reading session. By volunteering just one hour a week, you can make a difference in a child’s life.

United Way Reading PALS can foster good academic outcomes, positive behavior, increased literacy skills, school completion, self-advocacy, and a life without poverty.

Service Learning is a method of teaching that combines formal instruction with a related service in the community.

According to research, learning is greatly enhanced through direct application in appropriate social contexts of principles and practices taught through formal instruction concurrent with guided reflections of the student’s experiences. As a teaching method Service Learning is a form of experimental education.

Project United United Way worldwide is a leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community based United Way’s in 45 countries and territories. United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives! Last year, 275 volunteers completed 40 projects at 14 non-

Volunteer Paducah Is an easy-to-use website that matches the right donors, advocates, and volunteers with the right opportunities in our

Service Learning offers students immediate opportunities to apply classroom learning to support or enhance the work of the campus and local agencies that exist to effect positive change in the community.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College has made an intentional effort to create a culture that values mentoring and service learning. This is evident through the GEN 120 Service Learning course, Student Ambassador and Mentoring Programs, student organizations, and course Service Learning projects offered at WKCTC. Time is priceless. To volunteer one’s time is not an easy matter. It can also be difficult to decide whom to give one’s time, how much time to give, and for what purpose. When time is given selflessly in abundance, it is considered a sacrifice from the heart.

Why are people committed to giving? To make a difference. Giving is a social exchange process. The right person, asking for the right cause, at the right time.

Go to volunteerpaducah.org We hope that Service Learning at West Kentucky Community and Technical college will help strengthen a culture of giving.

Child Advocacy Center

Page 22

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 7

The Importance of Service Learning

Volunteers Bring More Families and Community Together

Learning to Learn

By Ashley Wright, Executive Director United Way of Paducah-McCracken County

By Angel Rhodes

coordinator who works primarily with students who are academically at-risk, I have found that many students express concern about conceptualizing the material they are learning in general education courses.

Service learning provides students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) the opportunity to connect concepts and theories learned in the classroom with real-life application. It is not enough for a student to absorb data; they must also learn how to apply that information. Service learning helps students learn how to learn!

I advise students, particularly those who are at-risk or may become at-risk, to participate in service learning courses as a and engage in active learning.

As an extension of my graduate studies, my research on the concepts of service learning has supported the positive outcomes for students who engage in these experiences.

Students who participate in service learning are more likely to persist, graduate, or transfer. Students, both traditional and non-traditional, often express frustration with traditional classroom delivery methods.

Working in the community not only allows students an alternative setting, but also it provides them with real-life experiences with which they may connect academic concepts, such as public speaking, interpersonal communication, deductive reasoning, and critical thinking.

Likewise, many students are unaware of community’s needs.

As a community college committed to academic excellence and economic development, WKCTC has found yet another way to meet the needs of students, communities, businesses and industries as it shapes future leaders.

Page 8

Partnerships in Volunteering

The United Way is truly about bringing together our entire community and focusing our efforts and resources around the issues that are facing our local community. We cannot accomplish this without volunteers.

donations, help raise funds during our annual campaign

Promoting Personal Growth

By Chevene Duncan-Herring as a student success coach in the area of Academic Affairs, I enrolled in the GEN 120 Service Learning class, with a service learning hours. As a newcomer to Paducah, Kentucky, the GEN 120 Service Learning class served as a creative pathway for me to meet others throughout the college campus as well as the community of Paducah, while promoting my personal growth and building professional relationships.

I would recommend the GEN 120 Service Learning Class to newly hired WKCTC employees, especially newcomers to Paducah. The class empowered me with numerous opportunities to volunteer throughout the Paducah community, and around the world, without expecting anything in return. The most memorable volunteer International of Paducah assembling items for birthing kits to be used throughout undeveloped countries in Africa.

My volunteering experiences enhanced the joy I have for helping others while making a difference in the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of others through serving without pay.

The GEN 120 Service Learning class gave me an well as the countless volunteer hours needed for charitable organizations around the world to function successfully.

responsibility in our community and we need thousands of additional hands and feet to help meet the growing needs, and that is why volunteers are the cornerstone in absolutely every project or initiative that the United Way undertakes.

Technical College (WKCTC) through their Service Learning program has allowed us to work closely with many of their students. WKCTC students have been instrumental in not only many United Way projects, but also with our Partner Agencies throughout the community.

The United Way has been honored to work with such motivated WKCTC students with a passion to make a positive impact on our community.

A VOLUNTEER is a person who is a light to others, giving witness in a mixed-up age, doing well and willingly the tasks at hand-namely, being aware of another’s needs and doing something about it.

A VOLUNTEER is a person who remembers to do the thing to make other people happy, who takes the loneliness out of the alone by talking to them, who is concerned when others are unconcerned, who has the courage to be a prophet and to say the things that have to be said for the good of all. grateful in an ungrateful world, giving when all about are grasping, listening when others need to tell about their fears and problems.

-- from “

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

,” newsletter of Birthrite, South Africa

Page 21

Families Who Volunteer

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013)

Tabitha Neal & Family Volunteer Experience

By Tabitha Neal

Service Learning: A Life Change

By Jennifer Haines

As I was sitting at work one day, I received an automated phone call from West Kentucky Community and Technical College. I listened and learned about this great class that would allow me to meet four times, write one paper, do volunteer work, and earn three hours of college credit.

As a single mother with limited time and resources, who is already actively involved in my community, the Service Learning class was a “no brainer”.

When I came into the class, I planned to use my volunteer hours at my church. I didn’t take into account what I might actually get from the class in addition to volunteering.

I thought of it as just another class that would be easy and a way to earn three more hours towards my associate degree.

Little did I know the profound effect it would have on me!

I found myself involved in diverse cultural events that I would have never been a part of I had not taken the Service Learning class. The experience awoke my passion for cultural diversity and learning. It has given me a hunger for helping people and paying it forward.

Our family participated in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk to help raise money and awareness about the increasing need for knowledge about mental illness here in Paducah, Kentucky. Being able to experience community service as a family allows us, as parents, to mentor our children during humbling events. We are also able to show them how hardships can easily be brought upon us all and help them to understand that WE, as loving neighbors and citizens, need to support those who need our help. We are responsible for developing our children’s leadership traits as future stewards in our community and within their families.

This has been more than just a class.

It has been a memorable life experience. I can truly say the Service Learning class has been a blessing and life changing experience!

The Service Learning class “has been more than just a class. It has been a memorable life experience.”

The NAMI walk was a great experience and it was wonderful to be able to do this as a family. It provided new learning experiences and skills, and an opportunity to bond together as a family.

Page 20

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 9

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013) It’s About Giving Back: Helping Those in Need

Volunteers share their time, talents, and hearts to provided support and bring hope to individuals, families, and organizations that experience diverse needs under unique and frequently adverse circumstances. Volunteers have worked in flood and fire damaged neighborhoods, removing unsalvageable belongings, cleaning debris, stocking food pantries, fund-raising, collecting donated goods, restoring, repairing, rebuilding, and providing organizational and community support.

By Kardata Lott My GEN 120 Service Learning class has been an exhilarating experience. We simply gave back. I learned a lot about what my college and my community has to offer.

ideas on the professions I may want to pursue. I found it very rewarding to help others, and I enjoyed the time that I spent helping those in need. Although there were many great opportunities, there were also many challenges, especially when it came to getting in my 45 hours.

When I began my classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC), I never went to the library nor knew that the college had a student center. What surprised me was the Clemens Fine Arts Center. It is truly “TAP,� I looked at it as a way to knock out hours. When I walked in to the Clemens Fine Art Center, all I could say

The Clemens Fine Art Center was where I spent most of my time volunteering on campus. I never knew that I would like theater. I am now considering a career in it. Christmas Around The World was another event that I volunteered for on campus. I absolutely loved it. Everything was so diverse. I learned a lot and had so much fun. Not to mention great food!

When I was in elementary school, once a week Reading Pals would come and eat lunch with their pal. While I never had a reading pal, I always wanted to be one. I had no idea that the United Way continued Reading Pals.

Did you know that for as little as ten dollars a year you can till six o’clock? Neither did I. My Service Learning class educated me on my school and also my community.

their homework. It was my job to work with the third and fourth graders on subjects they needed help with. I loved every minute of it. After power hour, they broke up and went to the gym, art room, game room, or the computer lab. When this semester is over, I will continue to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club.

Individuals and families who experience great loss can be impacted by emotional devastation. They often become angry, confused, desperate, hopeless, and feel isolated in their grief. Volunteers reach out beyond the physical labor to provide relief and comfort by showing those in despair that they are not alone and others are willing to share in their burden and recovery process.

Everyone benefits from the advantages of volunteering:

only thing I knew was that you did not need to buy a book.

Later I learned the class required volunteering, I became worried. I was enrolled in other classes that required a great deal of time and I was also working thirty-nine (39) hours a week. I chose to cut my work hours.

The event that I enjoyed volunteering for most was the listening tour by Dr. Michael McCall, president of Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). He sincerely wanted to know what students and employees liked about the college. Not only did he want to hear the praises but also the complaints. I have much respect for Dr. McCall because of the time taken from his very busy schedule to listen and allow us to voice our opinions.

t t t t t t t t

-FBSO PS EFWFMPQ OFX TLJMMT #F QBSU PG ZPVS DPNNVOJUZ (BJO NPUJWBUJPO BOE TFOTF PG BDIJFWFNFOU &OKPZ OFX FYQFSJFODFT JOUFSFTU BOE IPCCJFT .FFU EJWFSTF SBOHF PG QFPQMF *ODSFBTF DBSFFS PQUJPOT )FMQ QSPWJEF PSHBOJ[BUJPO BDDPVOUBCJMJUZ BOE HBSOFS TVQQPSU GPS QSPHSBNT 4BWF DPTUT GPS PSHBOJ[BUJPOT XIP IJSF FNQMPZFFT UP DPNQMFUF UBTL

People who volunteer for selfless reasons, such as helping others, live longer than those who don’t lend a helping hand, a new TUVEZ TIPXT )PXFWFS UIPTF XIP WPMVOUFFS GPS NPSF TFMG DFOUFSFE SFBTPOT EP OPU SFBQQMZ UIF TBNF MJGF FYUFOEJOH CFOFĕUT Volunteering is at the heart of citizen action and central to their ability to serve their communities.

I would strongly recommend this class to students who have some free time on their hands. Not only will it educate you on your campus and community, but teach you how to manage your time.

when asked to introduce ourselves I was scared out of my mind. I can honestly say that this Service Learning class brought me out of my shell.

Girls Club. I helped with homework, and played with the Club I thought it would be all fun and games. Although it was fun, I learned that homework is taken seriously by students and workers. During power hours, kids got out

Page 10

*Journal Reference: Article: “Motives for Volunteering Are Associated With Mortality Risk in Older Adults,� Sara Konrath, PhD, University of .JDIJHBO BOE 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 3PDIFTUFS .FEJDBM $FOUFS FU BM )FBMUI 1TZDIPMPHZ QVCMJTIFE POMJOF "VH

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 19

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013)

Sister Act: The Bond of Giving

A Lesson in Campus and Culture

Bring a Smile and Personality to Others in a Positive Way

By Catosha M. Brown

By Jestean Howard My name is Jestean and after many years of being out of school, I was blessed with the opportunity to go back and study for my Associate in Arts degree in Early Childhood.

We are both legally blind, but we have not allowed our disability to disable us in our ventures in life. We complement each other. We both love people and we both love children. She is talkative where I am more laid back, but we always bring our smile and personality to others in a positive way.

a 3.5 GPA, working two jobs and taking six credit hours of classes. When planning for spring classes, I learned of the Service Learning class. The class was scheduled during my work; therefore, I had to gain permission from my supervisor as well as my director. They approved my request to take the class, and afterwards I thought to myself, “This is going to be nearly impossible.”

The Service Learning class has given us the opportunity to be a team again. We are able to support and serve ourselves and others. When residence and staff see us at the nursing home, they say I am the tall one and Barbara is the short one, or one lady calls Barbara “doll.”

I was required to earn 45 volunteer hours for GEN 120 not including twenty hours in my other two classes while

I just know that when we are volunteering we are making others happy, and I love it. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a loving and encouraging sister who has the gift of gab and won’t let me give up.

to volunteer; some didn’t return calls. In addition I had a

My sister and I visited a local nursing home and started to volunteer for hospice. This was a blessing in disguise.

After going through hours of training, I realized that volunteering is a serious thing. We were in the Service

Although I wasn’t familiar with the term, “Service Learning” based on an automated telephone message I received from the college, I knew it involved volunteering my time to improve the community and the lives of others in need. I have always received personal joy from helping others. The class was a great opportunity to earn three hours of college level credit toward my free electives while rewarding.

I gained knowledge of the support services and resources on campus through in class presentations and a chance to meet campus employees and learn of the valuable work they do to help students succeed.

What I gained from working at Chinese New Year was a lesson in Chinese culture and tradition. I knew very little about the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival as it has lunar-solar Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year remains the longest and most important social and economic holiday in China.

Ethnic Chinese all over the world celebrate Chinese New Year. The holiday is important to everyone in all cultures because it highlights the importance of knowing the real meaning of ancient customs and traditions about our ancestors and brings families together for feasting. This has made me look closer at my own family practices and traditions that I might want to create or preserve.

The Service Learning class is a great tool and innovative resource that encourages learning and personal growth in an interactive way. Personally, I believe everyone of any age,

“The was a great opportunity to earn three hours of college level credit toward my free electives while participating in a worthy and engaging

are gratifying.

Each time we volunteer people express gratitude for our time and service. I would like to say to them thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve.

The Service Learning class has opened my eyes to see that when you give of yourself and your time, God gives you time, just as he does talents. You should never hide your talents; share them so others can be blessed and learn the value of serving.

The class provided the opportunity for me to share this experience with someone I know and love; my sister Barbara Adams. From the time of our youth, we have always done things together. We played together, sang together, worked together, and now have class together. I can say I have a special bond with my sister even though we are two of eight siblings.

Page 18

In Spring 2013, I learned of a GEN 120 Service Learning course being offered at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) taught by Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell.

rewarding.

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 11

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013)

Sister Act: The Bond of Giving

Most Lessons Learned Are Outside Class

By Tracey Shackelford

My name is Tracey Shackelford and I am a non-traditional student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC). I returned to school to enhance the job opportunities available to me after becoming a high school dropout at the age of sixteen. The road to higher education has been hard for me. However, I have grown through my educational experiences while at WKCTC. My educational growth along with my desire to serve the needs of the community, campus, and fellow students made the decision to serve as a WKCTC student ambassador and to enroll in the GEN 120 Service Learning course easier.

Relationship Building is a Crucial Piece of Service Learning

Serving as a student ambassador has allowed me to serve an important role in collaborating with fellow students,

By Barbara Adams My name is Barbara Adams. I am currently employed by Paducah Public Schools/Paducah Head Start Preschool where I am a teacher’s assistant. I can truly say that I thoroughly enjoy what I do. It is because of this wonderful job that I have been able to re-enroll into classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC). I enjoy being a student again, for I am an alumna. It has been a long and challenging journey,

implement projects and shared goals.

I helped during Happening Hours

School Bash, where students can meet faculty and fellow students in order to get involved in campus activities.

during the course of my education.

Volunteering has allowed me to better understand the importance of getting involved in campus life.

Also, it showed me the importance of making connections that will pay dividends for me after graduation and beyond.

This Service Learning class is one of the most favorite I have ever taken in the course of my college career. I get the opportunity to work within the community I love.

This class has given me so much as I learn new and different ways to give back. It gave me the opportunity to be in places I never expected to go. I feel blessed to be partnering with a local nursing home and hospice. Both locations are important to my sister, Jestean Howard, and me. She also takes the class. We go and visit the patients together, so I am sharing of myself and of the special relationship with my sister as we cooperate in this project.

Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE) conference, which promotes the advancement of African Americans in higher education in Kentucky. Also, KABHE assists Kentucky colleges and universities in helping to recruit and retain African-Americans.

Page 12

At the nursing home, we talk and listen to the residents and spend quality time with them. Relationship building

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

is a crucial piece of the service we give. The patients are very glad for our visits; they enjoy the companionship and always make my day.

Hospice was responsible for taking great care of our own aging parents. I chose both as Barbara Adams a service opportunity so that I could give back. It is a special blessing to be able to help families deal with the process life. I am sure the love of our parents is shining down on us both.

Jestean and I make a great team. We work together within the Paducah Head Start Preschool program and attend class together with the blessing and encouragement of administrators and supervisors. I look up to my “big” sister who I am so proud of and love. I enjoy this opportunity to continue to make her proud of me. We will continue to support each other through our journeys in life.

Page 17

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013) Opportunity to Be Involved

By Tabitha Neal In May 2013, I graduated with an associate degree in nursing. I have been attending West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) since 2006 and was accepted into the nursing program in 2008 and had to decline. My husband was deploying to Iraq in May 2009, and our daughter was scheduled to be born in April 2009.

The timing was not working for us. I applied again to the nursing program and was accepted into the Fall 2011 class. A friend in nursing classes told me about WKCTC’s Student Ambassador Program, and it sparked an interest with me. The thought of being able to give back to the community and the school sounded like a challenge that I was ready to take. As a result of being selected as a student ambassador, I was required to take the Service Learning class, which requires 45 community service volunteer hours.

volunteer, study, take care of a household, husband, and three kids while maintaining my sanity and grades.

Learning to manage my time and prioritize activities has been a very valuable experience for me. I think these skills will help me upon starting my nursing career.

usher for the author Beth Baker’s book presentation. This was an absolute blessing to me! I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mrs. Baker before the session. She is truly one of the most inspirational and strongest women that I have met.

I also helped out with an event that WKCTC Cultural

The volunteering opportunities that I have participated in while serving as student ambassador would not have been possible without enrolling in the Service Learning class.

Service Learning is an educational class that allows each student the opportunity to participate in community activities and to become familiarized with community needs. I would recommend this class to all students.

Diversity Director Jipaum Askew-Robinson presented.

I met several instructors from other campuses and worked with fellow student ambassadors. I also had the opportunity to work with Spanish instructor Carolyn Perry on the Hispanic Heritage Celebration and participate in the United Way 5K.

Most lessons in life cannot be learned inside a classroom.

While volunteering, I met people from all walks of life and heard many different stories. As I sat and listened to some of these stories, I realized that no matter where a person may have come from, everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their lives.

The nursing program requires community service focused on education. The group I worked with chose to set up a booth at the Heart Walk of Paducah. We focused on providing information about smoking cessation.

I also helped with a STEM girls’ forum. We were responsible for directing the groups through the Allied Health Building to all of their scheduled activities. It was great to see girls at such a young age already having an interest in the medical

I volunteer with the AWANA program at my church. We follow the school schedule, meeting on Wednesday nights from six until eight. The kids range in age from three through high school and are broken down according to their grade.

We strive to teach the children sportsmanship and let them have fun while learning at the same time. Children work on learning books of the Bible and Bible verses. Recently I’ve been working with one little boy, who has been struggling to learn a portion of the New Testament. The look on his little face was priceless when he got it.

to anyone attending classes on campus. I think this class provides a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community and get involved on the campus. This class has enabled me to grow as a person and encouraged me to be more outgoing and involved.

Page 16

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

By volunteering with the KABHE, I learned about the importance of everyone having a chance to receive higher education. Every year a number of potential students who seek higher education, are left out due to affordability, KABHE, seek solutions to help students who do not have the chance to receive higher education.

My best experiences were within the community. I volunteered for the United Way and The Salvation Army. I was able to see what the Paducah Cooperative Ministry was all about. This ministry serves the purpose of meeting needs of individuals and breaking the cycle of homelessness. As an individual who has needed assistance throughout life, I know the importance of having volunteers within the community who are willing

I look forward to continuing to volunteer for different organizations. Unlike most things in life, time is free and just a few minutes of assistance or support can make all the difference in a person life.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to help people. Although the desire to help others remained important to me as I matured, I didn’t have any spare time being a single mother of three children and having to work to support them. As my children have grown up and I have returned to school, this is a second chance.

“Paying It Forward” is a phrase that I’ve always felt “Pay it Forward.” Thanks to the Service Learning class and Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell for starting up the Student Ambassador Program.

My biggest challenge as a student ambassador was when I volunteered to help give a tour of the WKCTC campus to members of a visiting team from The Aspen Institute.

The visiting team was on campus to learn more about the college after it was named one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation. As a volunteer of the Aspen Tour, I was forced to step out of my comfort zone since my my life my nerves have gotten the best of me when it came to addressing people who held high positions or titles. My biggest reward was to take part in making a difference in people’s life.

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 13

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013) Generosity is Giving of Whom You Are

By Amanda Boyd “The ultimate expression of generosity is not in giving of what you have, but in giving of whom you are,” according to Johnnetta B. Cole, “and only you can give of your abilities.”

My name is Amanda Boyd; I am a mother of two teens, a wife, and a student. I am working my way through the Physical Therapy Assistant program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) in Paducah, Kentucky. I had the pleasure of meeting Kristie Morris, a student ambassador for WKCTC. She mentioned that I would make a great ambassador as well. I applied and gratefully received the honor of student ambassador. I was inclined to enroll in the Service Learning class with Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell.

I have expanded my knowledge of area social service programs and have become more aware of the importance of such organizations and outreach activities among my fellow students and community.

once a week on Tuesday mornings has stolen my heart.

She has the brightest smile and when we sit down to read together she works hard to make me proud.

This volunteer experience has been an inclusive learning circle for me because I was exposed to the purpose and success of the United Way’s Reading Program during a lecture in the Service Learning class and was able to be a part of the purpose and success during my volunteer time with my reading pal.

that classroom listening and learning about the various service opportunities was inspiring. However, I received much more from the next phase of my volunteer journey. a traditional class lecture, but instead we listened to WKCTC staff presentations from food service to the vice president of student affairs, student ambassadors, and outside community activity, directors, coordinators, and United Way. I found this environment engaging and challenging because all of these people who seemed superior to me wanted me, a student, to be a part of something bigger than just being a student.

Page 14

Service learning has enriched my college experience by drawing me into the campus. I had never been in the Emerging Technology Building until I attended a Service Learning class held there. I had been missing the delightful treats and the wonderful environment at the Cyber Café!

I felt like a kid in a candy store after hearing about all the opportunities to serve. I choose to get started with Reading Pals, a program through United Way which is designed to

with the hosting of an event called True Colors in the College Bistro, both of which were held in the Anderson Technical Building.

An hour of reading to a child has turned out to be so much more. The little girl who I have had the honor to sit with

Because of service learning, I have met delightful WKCTC staff members like Tammy Pendergrast, Tamara Hodges, and Jipaum Askew- Robinson who have enriched

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

my life just by being their cheerful and serving selves. I do not believe that I would have experienced the campus to this depth had I not enrolled in the Service Learning class.

The most challenging aspect of service learning for me was choosing where to serve.

I recommend Service Learning to others because of the opportunity to get to know more students, faculty and staff, community involvement, and the ability to leave a legacy. A student can be led on a tour of the campus, read a pamphlet, or even watch a video. However, the level of appreciation jumps into the campus and actively participates within the college. Active participation fosters relationships within the student body and faculty. Because of Service Learning I was able to meet Dr. Michael McCall, the KCTCS President, on his Listening Tour 2012.

Community is the heart of community college and Service Learning is the bridge that joins the two, and that is another reason why I encourage students to enroll in service learning.

My Service Learning Class has come to an end; however, with me and the spirit of service learning that I have gained is continuing to grow within me and I look forward to sharing this heart of community and service during the rest of my Community College experience and beyond. In my opinion, Service Learning should be a requirement for students attending a community college.

Page 15

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013) Generosity is Giving of Whom You Are

By Amanda Boyd “The ultimate expression of generosity is not in giving of what you have, but in giving of whom you are,” according to Johnnetta B. Cole, “and only you can give of your abilities.”

My name is Amanda Boyd; I am a mother of two teens, a wife, and a student. I am working my way through the Physical Therapy Assistant program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) in Paducah, Kentucky. I had the pleasure of meeting Kristie Morris, a student ambassador for WKCTC. She mentioned that I would make a great ambassador as well. I applied and gratefully received the honor of student ambassador. I was inclined to enroll in the Service Learning class with Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell.

I have expanded my knowledge of area social service programs and have become more aware of the importance of such organizations and outreach activities among my fellow students and community.

once a week on Tuesday mornings has stolen my heart.

She has the brightest smile and when we sit down to read together she works hard to make me proud.

This volunteer experience has been an inclusive learning circle for me because I was exposed to the purpose and success of the United Way’s Reading Program during a lecture in the Service Learning class and was able to be a part of the purpose and success during my volunteer time with my reading pal.

that classroom listening and learning about the various service opportunities was inspiring. However, I received much more from the next phase of my volunteer journey. a traditional class lecture, but instead we listened to WKCTC staff presentations from food service to the vice president of student affairs, student ambassadors, and outside community activity, directors, coordinators, and United Way. I found this environment engaging and challenging because all of these people who seemed superior to me wanted me, a student, to be a part of something bigger than just being a student.

Page 14

Service learning has enriched my college experience by drawing me into the campus. I had never been in the Emerging Technology Building until I attended a Service Learning class held there. I had been missing the delightful treats and the wonderful environment at the Cyber Café!

I felt like a kid in a candy store after hearing about all the opportunities to serve. I choose to get started with Reading Pals, a program through United Way which is designed to

with the hosting of an event called True Colors in the College Bistro, both of which were held in the Anderson Technical Building.

An hour of reading to a child has turned out to be so much more. The little girl who I have had the honor to sit with

Because of service learning, I have met delightful WKCTC staff members like Tammy Pendergrast, Tamara Hodges, and Jipaum Askew- Robinson who have enriched

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

my life just by being their cheerful and serving selves. I do not believe that I would have experienced the campus to this depth had I not enrolled in the Service Learning class.

The most challenging aspect of service learning for me was choosing where to serve.

I recommend Service Learning to others because of the opportunity to get to know more students, faculty and staff, community involvement, and the ability to leave a legacy. A student can be led on a tour of the campus, read a pamphlet, or even watch a video. However, the level of appreciation jumps into the campus and actively participates within the college. Active participation fosters relationships within the student body and faculty. Because of Service Learning I was able to meet Dr. Michael McCall, the KCTCS President, on his Listening Tour 2012.

Community is the heart of community college and Service Learning is the bridge that joins the two, and that is another reason why I encourage students to enroll in service learning.

My Service Learning Class has come to an end; however, with me and the spirit of service learning that I have gained is continuing to grow within me and I look forward to sharing this heart of community and service during the rest of my Community College experience and beyond. In my opinion, Service Learning should be a requirement for students attending a community college.

Page 15

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013) Opportunity to Be Involved

By Tabitha Neal In May 2013, I graduated with an associate degree in nursing. I have been attending West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) since 2006 and was accepted into the nursing program in 2008 and had to decline. My husband was deploying to Iraq in May 2009, and our daughter was scheduled to be born in April 2009.

The timing was not working for us. I applied again to the nursing program and was accepted into the Fall 2011 class. A friend in nursing classes told me about WKCTC’s Student Ambassador Program, and it sparked an interest with me. The thought of being able to give back to the community and the school sounded like a challenge that I was ready to take. As a result of being selected as a student ambassador, I was required to take the Service Learning class, which requires 45 community service volunteer hours.

volunteer, study, take care of a household, husband, and three kids while maintaining my sanity and grades.

Learning to manage my time and prioritize activities has been a very valuable experience for me. I think these skills will help me upon starting my nursing career.

usher for the author Beth Baker’s book presentation. This was an absolute blessing to me! I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mrs. Baker before the session. She is truly one of the most inspirational and strongest women that I have met.

I also helped out with an event that WKCTC Cultural

The volunteering opportunities that I have participated in while serving as student ambassador would not have been possible without enrolling in the Service Learning class.

Service Learning is an educational class that allows each student the opportunity to participate in community activities and to become familiarized with community needs. I would recommend this class to all students.

Diversity Director Jipaum Askew-Robinson presented.

I met several instructors from other campuses and worked with fellow student ambassadors. I also had the opportunity to work with Spanish instructor Carolyn Perry on the Hispanic Heritage Celebration and participate in the United Way 5K.

Most lessons in life cannot be learned inside a classroom.

While volunteering, I met people from all walks of life and heard many different stories. As I sat and listened to some of these stories, I realized that no matter where a person may have come from, everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their lives.

The nursing program requires community service focused on education. The group I worked with chose to set up a booth at the Heart Walk of Paducah. We focused on providing information about smoking cessation.

I also helped with a STEM girls’ forum. We were responsible for directing the groups through the Allied Health Building to all of their scheduled activities. It was great to see girls at such a young age already having an interest in the medical

I volunteer with the AWANA program at my church. We follow the school schedule, meeting on Wednesday nights from six until eight. The kids range in age from three through high school and are broken down according to their grade.

We strive to teach the children sportsmanship and let them have fun while learning at the same time. Children work on learning books of the Bible and Bible verses. Recently I’ve been working with one little boy, who has been struggling to learn a portion of the New Testament. The look on his little face was priceless when he got it.

to anyone attending classes on campus. I think this class provides a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community and get involved on the campus. This class has enabled me to grow as a person and encouraged me to be more outgoing and involved.

Page 16

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

By volunteering with the KABHE, I learned about the importance of everyone having a chance to receive higher education. Every year a number of potential students who seek higher education, are left out due to affordability, KABHE, seek solutions to help students who do not have the chance to receive higher education.

My best experiences were within the community. I volunteered for the United Way and The Salvation Army. I was able to see what the Paducah Cooperative Ministry was all about. This ministry serves the purpose of meeting needs of individuals and breaking the cycle of homelessness. As an individual who has needed assistance throughout life, I know the importance of having volunteers within the community who are willing

I look forward to continuing to volunteer for different organizations. Unlike most things in life, time is free and just a few minutes of assistance or support can make all the difference in a person life.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to help people. Although the desire to help others remained important to me as I matured, I didn’t have any spare time being a single mother of three children and having to work to support them. As my children have grown up and I have returned to school, this is a second chance.

“Paying It Forward” is a phrase that I’ve always felt “Pay it Forward.” Thanks to the Service Learning class and Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell for starting up the Student Ambassador Program.

My biggest challenge as a student ambassador was when I volunteered to help give a tour of the WKCTC campus to members of a visiting team from The Aspen Institute.

The visiting team was on campus to learn more about the college after it was named one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation. As a volunteer of the Aspen Tour, I was forced to step out of my comfort zone since my my life my nerves have gotten the best of me when it came to addressing people who held high positions or titles. My biggest reward was to take part in making a difference in people’s life.

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 13

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013)

Sister Act: The Bond of Giving

Most Lessons Learned Are Outside Class

By Tracey Shackelford

My name is Tracey Shackelford and I am a non-traditional student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC). I returned to school to enhance the job opportunities available to me after becoming a high school dropout at the age of sixteen. The road to higher education has been hard for me. However, I have grown through my educational experiences while at WKCTC. My educational growth along with my desire to serve the needs of the community, campus, and fellow students made the decision to serve as a WKCTC student ambassador and to enroll in the GEN 120 Service Learning course easier.

Relationship Building is a Crucial Piece of Service Learning

Serving as a student ambassador has allowed me to serve an important role in collaborating with fellow students,

By Barbara Adams My name is Barbara Adams. I am currently employed by Paducah Public Schools/Paducah Head Start Preschool where I am a teacher’s assistant. I can truly say that I thoroughly enjoy what I do. It is because of this wonderful job that I have been able to re-enroll into classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC). I enjoy being a student again, for I am an alumna. It has been a long and challenging journey,

implement projects and shared goals.

I helped during Happening Hours

School Bash, where students can meet faculty and fellow students in order to get involved in campus activities.

during the course of my education.

Volunteering has allowed me to better understand the importance of getting involved in campus life.

Also, it showed me the importance of making connections that will pay dividends for me after graduation and beyond.

This Service Learning class is one of the most favorite I have ever taken in the course of my college career. I get the opportunity to work within the community I love.

This class has given me so much as I learn new and different ways to give back. It gave me the opportunity to be in places I never expected to go. I feel blessed to be partnering with a local nursing home and hospice. Both locations are important to my sister, Jestean Howard, and me. She also takes the class. We go and visit the patients together, so I am sharing of myself and of the special relationship with my sister as we cooperate in this project.

Association of Blacks in Higher Education (KABHE) conference, which promotes the advancement of African Americans in higher education in Kentucky. Also, KABHE assists Kentucky colleges and universities in helping to recruit and retain African-Americans.

Page 12

At the nursing home, we talk and listen to the residents and spend quality time with them. Relationship building

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

is a crucial piece of the service we give. The patients are very glad for our visits; they enjoy the companionship and always make my day.

Hospice was responsible for taking great care of our own aging parents. I chose both as Barbara Adams a service opportunity so that I could give back. It is a special blessing to be able to help families deal with the process life. I am sure the love of our parents is shining down on us both.

Jestean and I make a great team. We work together within the Paducah Head Start Preschool program and attend class together with the blessing and encouragement of administrators and supervisors. I look up to my “big” sister who I am so proud of and love. I enjoy this opportunity to continue to make her proud of me. We will continue to support each other through our journeys in life.

Page 17

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013)

Sister Act: The Bond of Giving

A Lesson in Campus and Culture

Bring a Smile and Personality to Others in a Positive Way

By Catosha M. Brown

By Jestean Howard My name is Jestean and after many years of being out of school, I was blessed with the opportunity to go back and study for my Associate in Arts degree in Early Childhood.

We are both legally blind, but we have not allowed our disability to disable us in our ventures in life. We complement each other. We both love people and we both love children. She is talkative where I am more laid back, but we always bring our smile and personality to others in a positive way.

a 3.5 GPA, working two jobs and taking six credit hours of classes. When planning for spring classes, I learned of the Service Learning class. The class was scheduled during my work; therefore, I had to gain permission from my supervisor as well as my director. They approved my request to take the class, and afterwards I thought to myself, “This is going to be nearly impossible.”

The Service Learning class has given us the opportunity to be a team again. We are able to support and serve ourselves and others. When residence and staff see us at the nursing home, they say I am the tall one and Barbara is the short one, or one lady calls Barbara “doll.”

I was required to earn 45 volunteer hours for GEN 120 not including twenty hours in my other two classes while

I just know that when we are volunteering we are making others happy, and I love it. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a loving and encouraging sister who has the gift of gab and won’t let me give up.

to volunteer; some didn’t return calls. In addition I had a

My sister and I visited a local nursing home and started to volunteer for hospice. This was a blessing in disguise.

After going through hours of training, I realized that volunteering is a serious thing. We were in the Service

Although I wasn’t familiar with the term, “Service Learning” based on an automated telephone message I received from the college, I knew it involved volunteering my time to improve the community and the lives of others in need. I have always received personal joy from helping others. The class was a great opportunity to earn three hours of college level credit toward my free electives while rewarding.

I gained knowledge of the support services and resources on campus through in class presentations and a chance to meet campus employees and learn of the valuable work they do to help students succeed.

What I gained from working at Chinese New Year was a lesson in Chinese culture and tradition. I knew very little about the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival as it has lunar-solar Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year remains the longest and most important social and economic holiday in China.

Ethnic Chinese all over the world celebrate Chinese New Year. The holiday is important to everyone in all cultures because it highlights the importance of knowing the real meaning of ancient customs and traditions about our ancestors and brings families together for feasting. This has made me look closer at my own family practices and traditions that I might want to create or preserve.

The Service Learning class is a great tool and innovative resource that encourages learning and personal growth in an interactive way. Personally, I believe everyone of any age,

“The was a great opportunity to earn three hours of college level credit toward my free electives while participating in a worthy and engaging

are gratifying.

Each time we volunteer people express gratitude for our time and service. I would like to say to them thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve.

The Service Learning class has opened my eyes to see that when you give of yourself and your time, God gives you time, just as he does talents. You should never hide your talents; share them so others can be blessed and learn the value of serving.

The class provided the opportunity for me to share this experience with someone I know and love; my sister Barbara Adams. From the time of our youth, we have always done things together. We played together, sang together, worked together, and now have class together. I can say I have a special bond with my sister even though we are two of eight siblings.

Page 18

In Spring 2013, I learned of a GEN 120 Service Learning course being offered at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) taught by Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell.

rewarding.

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 11

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013) It’s About Giving Back: Helping Those in Need

Volunteers share their time, talents, and hearts to provided support and bring hope to individuals, families, and organizations that experience diverse needs under unique and frequently adverse circumstances. Volunteers have worked in flood and fire damaged neighborhoods, removing unsalvageable belongings, cleaning debris, stocking food pantries, fund-raising, collecting donated goods, restoring, repairing, rebuilding, and providing organizational and community support.

By Kardata Lott My GEN 120 Service Learning class has been an exhilarating experience. We simply gave back. I learned a lot about what my college and my community has to offer.

ideas on the professions I may want to pursue. I found it very rewarding to help others, and I enjoyed the time that I spent helping those in need. Although there were many great opportunities, there were also many challenges, especially when it came to getting in my 45 hours.

When I began my classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC), I never went to the library nor knew that the college had a student center. What surprised me was the Clemens Fine Arts Center. It is truly “TAP,� I looked at it as a way to knock out hours. When I walked in to the Clemens Fine Art Center, all I could say

The Clemens Fine Art Center was where I spent most of my time volunteering on campus. I never knew that I would like theater. I am now considering a career in it. Christmas Around The World was another event that I volunteered for on campus. I absolutely loved it. Everything was so diverse. I learned a lot and had so much fun. Not to mention great food!

When I was in elementary school, once a week Reading Pals would come and eat lunch with their pal. While I never had a reading pal, I always wanted to be one. I had no idea that the United Way continued Reading Pals.

Did you know that for as little as ten dollars a year you can till six o’clock? Neither did I. My Service Learning class educated me on my school and also my community.

their homework. It was my job to work with the third and fourth graders on subjects they needed help with. I loved every minute of it. After power hour, they broke up and went to the gym, art room, game room, or the computer lab. When this semester is over, I will continue to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club.

Individuals and families who experience great loss can be impacted by emotional devastation. They often become angry, confused, desperate, hopeless, and feel isolated in their grief. Volunteers reach out beyond the physical labor to provide relief and comfort by showing those in despair that they are not alone and others are willing to share in their burden and recovery process.

Everyone benefits from the advantages of volunteering:

only thing I knew was that you did not need to buy a book.

Later I learned the class required volunteering, I became worried. I was enrolled in other classes that required a great deal of time and I was also working thirty-nine (39) hours a week. I chose to cut my work hours.

The event that I enjoyed volunteering for most was the listening tour by Dr. Michael McCall, president of Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). He sincerely wanted to know what students and employees liked about the college. Not only did he want to hear the praises but also the complaints. I have much respect for Dr. McCall because of the time taken from his very busy schedule to listen and allow us to voice our opinions.

t t t t t t t t

-FBSO PS EFWFMPQ OFX TLJMMT #F QBSU PG ZPVS DPNNVOJUZ (BJO NPUJWBUJPO BOE TFOTF PG BDIJFWFNFOU &OKPZ OFX FYQFSJFODFT JOUFSFTU BOE IPCCJFT .FFU EJWFSTF SBOHF PG QFPQMF *ODSFBTF DBSFFS PQUJPOT )FMQ QSPWJEF PSHBOJ[BUJPO BDDPVOUBCJMJUZ BOE HBSOFS TVQQPSU GPS QSPHSBNT 4BWF DPTUT GPS PSHBOJ[BUJPOT XIP IJSF FNQMPZFFT UP DPNQMFUF UBTL

People who volunteer for selfless reasons, such as helping others, live longer than those who don’t lend a helping hand, a new TUVEZ TIPXT )PXFWFS UIPTF XIP WPMVOUFFS GPS NPSF TFMG DFOUFSFE SFBTPOT EP OPU SFBQQMZ UIF TBNF MJGF FYUFOEJOH CFOFĕUT Volunteering is at the heart of citizen action and central to their ability to serve their communities.

I would strongly recommend this class to students who have some free time on their hands. Not only will it educate you on your campus and community, but teach you how to manage your time.

when asked to introduce ourselves I was scared out of my mind. I can honestly say that this Service Learning class brought me out of my shell.

Girls Club. I helped with homework, and played with the Club I thought it would be all fun and games. Although it was fun, I learned that homework is taken seriously by students and workers. During power hours, kids got out

Page 10

*Journal Reference: Article: “Motives for Volunteering Are Associated With Mortality Risk in Older Adults,� Sara Konrath, PhD, University of .JDIJHBO BOE 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 3PDIFTUFS .FEJDBM $FOUFS FU BM )FBMUI 1TZDIPMPHZ QVCMJTIFE POMJOF "VH

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 19

Families Who Volunteer

Service Learning Class Experiences (2012-2013)

Tabitha Neal & Family Volunteer Experience

By Tabitha Neal

Service Learning: A Life Change

By Jennifer Haines

As I was sitting at work one day, I received an automated phone call from West Kentucky Community and Technical College. I listened and learned about this great class that would allow me to meet four times, write one paper, do volunteer work, and earn three hours of college credit.

As a single mother with limited time and resources, who is already actively involved in my community, the Service Learning class was a “no brainer”.

When I came into the class, I planned to use my volunteer hours at my church. I didn’t take into account what I might actually get from the class in addition to volunteering.

I thought of it as just another class that would be easy and a way to earn three more hours towards my associate degree.

Little did I know the profound effect it would have on me!

I found myself involved in diverse cultural events that I would have never been a part of I had not taken the Service Learning class. The experience awoke my passion for cultural diversity and learning. It has given me a hunger for helping people and paying it forward.

Our family participated in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walk to help raise money and awareness about the increasing need for knowledge about mental illness here in Paducah, Kentucky. Being able to experience community service as a family allows us, as parents, to mentor our children during humbling events. We are also able to show them how hardships can easily be brought upon us all and help them to understand that WE, as loving neighbors and citizens, need to support those who need our help. We are responsible for developing our children’s leadership traits as future stewards in our community and within their families.

This has been more than just a class.

It has been a memorable life experience. I can truly say the Service Learning class has been a blessing and life changing experience!

The Service Learning class “has been more than just a class. It has been a memorable life experience.”

The NAMI walk was a great experience and it was wonderful to be able to do this as a family. It provided new learning experiences and skills, and an opportunity to bond together as a family.

Page 20

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 9

The Importance of Service Learning

Volunteers Bring More Families and Community Together

Learning to Learn

By Ashley Wright, Executive Director United Way of Paducah-McCracken County

By Angel Rhodes

coordinator who works primarily with students who are academically at-risk, I have found that many students express concern about conceptualizing the material they are learning in general education courses.

Service learning provides students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) the opportunity to connect concepts and theories learned in the classroom with real-life application. It is not enough for a student to absorb data; they must also learn how to apply that information. Service learning helps students learn how to learn!

I advise students, particularly those who are at-risk or may become at-risk, to participate in service learning courses as a and engage in active learning.

As an extension of my graduate studies, my research on the concepts of service learning has supported the positive outcomes for students who engage in these experiences.

Students who participate in service learning are more likely to persist, graduate, or transfer. Students, both traditional and non-traditional, often express frustration with traditional classroom delivery methods.

Working in the community not only allows students an alternative setting, but also it provides them with real-life experiences with which they may connect academic concepts, such as public speaking, interpersonal communication, deductive reasoning, and critical thinking.

Likewise, many students are unaware of community’s needs.

As a community college committed to academic excellence and economic development, WKCTC has found yet another way to meet the needs of students, communities, businesses and industries as it shapes future leaders.

Page 8

Partnerships in Volunteering

The United Way is truly about bringing together our entire community and focusing our efforts and resources around the issues that are facing our local community. We cannot accomplish this without volunteers.

donations, help raise funds during our annual campaign

Promoting Personal Growth

By Chevene Duncan-Herring as a student success coach in the area of Academic Affairs, I enrolled in the GEN 120 Service Learning class, with a service learning hours. As a newcomer to Paducah, Kentucky, the GEN 120 Service Learning class served as a creative pathway for me to meet others throughout the college campus as well as the community of Paducah, while promoting my personal growth and building professional relationships.

I would recommend the GEN 120 Service Learning Class to newly hired WKCTC employees, especially newcomers to Paducah. The class empowered me with numerous opportunities to volunteer throughout the Paducah community, and around the world, without expecting anything in return. The most memorable volunteer International of Paducah assembling items for birthing kits to be used throughout undeveloped countries in Africa.

My volunteering experiences enhanced the joy I have for helping others while making a difference in the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of others through serving without pay.

The GEN 120 Service Learning class gave me an well as the countless volunteer hours needed for charitable organizations around the world to function successfully.

responsibility in our community and we need thousands of additional hands and feet to help meet the growing needs, and that is why volunteers are the cornerstone in absolutely every project or initiative that the United Way undertakes.

Technical College (WKCTC) through their Service Learning program has allowed us to work closely with many of their students. WKCTC students have been instrumental in not only many United Way projects, but also with our Partner Agencies throughout the community.

The United Way has been honored to work with such motivated WKCTC students with a passion to make a positive impact on our community.

A VOLUNTEER is a person who is a light to others, giving witness in a mixed-up age, doing well and willingly the tasks at hand-namely, being aware of another’s needs and doing something about it.

A VOLUNTEER is a person who remembers to do the thing to make other people happy, who takes the loneliness out of the alone by talking to them, who is concerned when others are unconcerned, who has the courage to be a prophet and to say the things that have to be said for the good of all. grateful in an ungrateful world, giving when all about are grasping, listening when others need to tell about their fears and problems.

-- from “

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

,” newsletter of Birthrite, South Africa

Page 21

What is Service Learning?

United Way Partners

Building a Culture of Giving

By Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell, GEN 120 Instructor

Reading Pals Reading PALS (Partners and Literacy Support) serve as mentors to local elementary school students. Beginning in September, each PAL will be matched with an individual student and will be expected to attend weekly lunches and a reading session. By volunteering just one hour a week, you can make a difference in a child’s life.

United Way Reading PALS can foster good academic outcomes, positive behavior, increased literacy skills, school completion, self-advocacy, and a life without poverty.

Service Learning is a method of teaching that combines formal instruction with a related service in the community.

According to research, learning is greatly enhanced through direct application in appropriate social contexts of principles and practices taught through formal instruction concurrent with guided reflections of the student’s experiences. As a teaching method Service Learning is a form of experimental education.

Project United United Way worldwide is a leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community based United Way’s in 45 countries and territories. United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives! Last year, 275 volunteers completed 40 projects at 14 non-

Volunteer Paducah Is an easy-to-use website that matches the right donors, advocates, and volunteers with the right opportunities in our

Service Learning offers students immediate opportunities to apply classroom learning to support or enhance the work of the campus and local agencies that exist to effect positive change in the community.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College has made an intentional effort to create a culture that values mentoring and service learning. This is evident through the GEN 120 Service Learning course, Student Ambassador and Mentoring Programs, student organizations, and course Service Learning projects offered at WKCTC. Time is priceless. To volunteer one’s time is not an easy matter. It can also be difficult to decide whom to give one’s time, how much time to give, and for what purpose. When time is given selflessly in abundance, it is considered a sacrifice from the heart.

Why are people committed to giving? To make a difference. Giving is a social exchange process. The right person, asking for the right cause, at the right time.

Go to volunteerpaducah.org We hope that Service Learning at West Kentucky Community and Technical college will help strengthen a culture of giving.

Child Advocacy Center

Page 22

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 7

What is Mentoring?

By Jipaum Askew-Robertson and Gail Bachuss Coordinators of WKCTC’s Mentoring Program Mentoring is the act of supporting and encouraging individuals to manage their learning to maximize their potential, develop skills, boost confidence, gain self-awareness, and take responsibility for directing their own lives.

Mentors often rely on having had similar experiences as the mentee to gain empathy and understanding of the mentees circumstances. WKCTC recently embarked on the creation of a campus wide mentoring program, Success Connection . If you would like to become a mentor or mentee access the WKCTC website, click on Student Life and the Mentoring Program link to complete an application and interest form.

Page 6

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 23

Greetings

From an early age I was taught to put the principles of giving into practice by accepting opportunities to volunteer.

I learned the importance of advocating and supporting programs, organizations, and people who strengthen our community. Volunteering has enabled me to build a healthy spirit, conscious mind, and a compassionate heart. It has taught me the importance of understanding and educating myself about the challenges of the community and how we can learn, grow, and thrive by working together.

I teach the Service Learning (GEN 120) course on the WKCTC campus, and also developed and coordinate the college’s Student Ambassador Program. The focus of the GEN 120 course and Student Ambassador Program is to educate students of the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community through structured and community-based volunteer work. Students selected as ambassadors are required to enroll and successfully complete GEN 120. The course is open to all students who desire to experience the power of giving and to make sense of the world around us by taking in new information and negotiating meaning out of those interactions.

Volunteerism, through this course, offers a true understanding of the campus and community culture. The course assists in preparing students for their journey in life and fostering strong leadership skills. Volunteering builds a sense of purpose and a chance to help the community and individuals through the development of compassion, increased begin volunteering, you can earn three hours of college level credits, which can be used toward free electives.

For more information contact Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell, vice president of student affairs, at (270) 534-3081 or Tamara K. Hodges, administrative assistant to the vice president of student affairs, at (270) 534-3069. To register for Technical Building at WKCTC at (270) 534-3408. What are you waiting for?

Respectfully,

Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell Vice President Student Affairs/Service Learning Instructor Paducah, KY 42002-7380

Page 24

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 5

-- Danny Thomas

Page 4

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 25

Service Learning: Nurturing A Culture of Selflessness Through Giving

Service Learning: Nurturing A Culture of Selflessness Through Giving

Table of Contents Most Lessons Learned Are Outside Class

By Tracey Shackelford

Operating Within the World Instead of Reading about It Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell, Vice President of Student Affairs West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Generosity is Giving of Whom You Are:

By Amanda Boyd Opportunity to Be Involved

By Tabitha Neal

Relationship Building is a Crucial Piece of Service Learning

By Barbara Adam

Building a Culture of Giving

By Dr. Belinda Dalton-Russell

Learning to Learn

By Angel Rhodes

Page 8

Bring A Smile and Personality to Others in a Positive Way

By Jestean Howard

Promoting Personal Growth

By Chevene Duncan-Herring Tabitha Neal & Family Volunteer Experience

By Tabitha Neal

(2012-2013) Service Learning: A Life Change

By Jennifer Haines

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with

It’s About Giving Back: Helping Those in Need

By Kardata Lott A Lesson in Campus and Culture

By Catosha M. Brown

- Woodrow Wilson 28th U.S. President

Page 26

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Volunteers Bring More Families and Community Together

By Ashley Wright, Executive Director United Way of Paducah-McCracken County

By Jipaum Askew-Robertson and Gail Bachuss Coordinators of WKCTC’s Mentoring Program

Page 3

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069

Page 31

WEST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Service Learning:

Nurturing A Culture of Selflessness Through Giving

Higher Education Begins Here 2012-2013

westkentucky.kctcs.edu

Kentucky Community & Technical College System

westkentucky.kctcs.edu (270) 534-3069