Graduate Service-Learning
Simmons is one of the nation's few colleges to offer a comprehensive service-learning program for graduate students. Over 300 graduate students participate in service-learning courses, graduate-program-specific community engagement programs, and all-college volunteer opportunities. Through the S/RC, graduate students contract with real clients, build relationships with local nonprofits, and gain experience in professional areas of study — all while serving their community.
Graduate service-learning typically follows a project-based model, in which students work in teams to address a problem or challenge for a partner organization. In addition to class, students spend 40 hours per semester collaborating with their community partners. Previously, they've partnered with the YWCA, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, and The Women's Lunch Place.
Sample programs include:
- Doctoral Physical Therapy service-learning students work with the homeless, elderly, youth, and women inmates to lead health education and advocacy programs.
- Masters in Communications Management service-learning students deliver strategic communication plans that address public relations, change management, volunteer communications, and branding and image to nonprofit partners.
For more in-depth information about graduate service-learning projects from the past few years, take a look at our Graduate Annual Reports.
Civic Engagement
In addition to Service-Learning courses, the S/RC helps graduate students find volunteer placements and identify non-profit organizations that match student interests. They also provide support for community based programming and partnership development initiated and led by our graduate students. Some examples of Graduate Civic Engagement opportunities are:
- AmeriCorps Student Leaders in Service (ASLIS)
- Promising Pals
- Jumpstart
- Graduate Library and Information Science students apply their library and information organization and management skills to Boston Public School libraries through semester-long programming and an annual Alternative Spring Break at a local school library.
Graduate Civic Engagement Liaisons
This year the S/RC offered for the first time, an opportunity for graduate students interested in community engagement to work with the center to develop and implement community service opportunities for graduate students while building and enhancing their leadership and professional skills.
Five graduate students were selected to represent each of the graduate programs:Nuvia Ball - Graduate School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ananda Jaakson - School of Management
Eileen Fontenot - School of Library Sciences
Natasha Naim - School of Social Work
Alicia Rule - College of Arts and Sciences
These students will work over the year to connect other graduate programs to the important work of the Scott/Ross Center for Community Service. Click to find out about their latest program.
Other Information
Scott/Ross Center Main Office
Main Campus Building
Room E103
617-521-2700
Contact Us
If you have questions or want to get involved, contact Carolyn Grimes at 617-521-2235 or grimesc@simmons.edu.
