The Scott/Ross Center for Community Service

Service Learning

The Office of Service Learning works with faculty to incorporate the pedagogy of service learning into course curricula throughout the college at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

What is Service Learning?
Service Learning is a teaching method that combines community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Service Learning programs involve students in organized community service that address local needs, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community.

Through the Scott/Ross Center, approximately 400 students learn and grow in service learning placements each year. The Center places students from many different fields of study in a variety of opportunities within our community organizations. Students connect their experiences from service to the classroom through guided reflection with journals, readings, discussions and presentations. The Scott/Ross Center offers support to students and faculty throughout their service learning experience.

The Scott/Ross Center also assists students in finding community service work-study positions. In most cases, students with work-study stipends can work in agencies with elementary school-aged students as their work-study job.

Why Should I choose Service Learning?

  • Offers a chance to become involved with the community that surrounds Simmons College and build new relationships
  • Allows students to utilize their skills in an experience outside the classroom and have an impact in the real world
  • Provides an opportunity to meet new people
  • Reduces stereotypes and further develops a greater cultural and racial understanding
    Provides a sense of social responsibility and citizenship skills
  • Increases academic learning and connection to coursework
  • Transforms and enhances student-faculty relationships

What is a Reflection?
Reflection allows you to connect what you are experiencing in your service learning placement to what you are learning in the classroom. Reflection can be done through journals, readings, papers, discussions or presentations. Your instructor will explain the methods you will use in your service learning course.

What types of courses offer Service Learning at Simmons?
Service Learning takes place in a wide range of disciplines including management, economics, physical therapy, sociology, education, communications, and the multicultural core course for first-year students. Service learning enhances students' educational experience through reflective thinking about their service and connection with classroom objectives.

In addition to service learning, the Office of Service learning sponsors several events and programs at Simmons.

  • The Service Learning Fair
  • Faculty/Staff One-Day Service Events
  • Global Day of Community Service
  • Promising Pals Program
  • Service Learning Faculty Brown Bag Lunch Discussions

For more information about any of these events or programs please contact the Scott/Ross Center at 617-521-2236

For Students
Student Guide to Service Learning

For Faculty
Integrating Service Learning into a Course
Integrating Service Learning into an MCC course

For Community Organizations
Guide to Scott/Ross Center