About Us

Service-learning is a method of teaching, learning, and reflecting that combines academic classroom curriculum with meaningful service that meets actual needs in the community.¹ As one form of experiential learning, service-learning enriches the learning experience, teaches civic responsibility, encourages lifelong civic engagement, and strengthens communities. Service-learning is reciprocal as both the server and those being served are teaching and learning during their interaction. According to The National and Community Service Act of 1990, "Service-learning experiences put abstract classroom concepts into concrete form and provide meaningful opportunities to test and refine theories while helping to meet basic community needs." Additionally, according to The Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), the incorporation of service-learning in higher education is a "high-impact practice" that increases content knowledge, higher-order thinking, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, career skills, civic responsibility, and academic success.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 

By the end of their participation in FGCU’s Service-Learning & Civic Engagement activities, students will be able to: 

1. Connect Theory to Practice 
   Apply academic concepts, theories, and disciplinary content from their coursework to real-world community contexts through structured service projects, thereby deepening their understanding of both the course material and community needs. 
2. Demonstrate Civic Awareness & Responsibility 
   Build connections with each other and the community while being able to identify and analyze public issues, understand the roles of different stakeholders, and articulate one’s own responsibility or potential contribution to civic life. 
3. Develop Career Readiness Skills 
   Gain experience and articulate the following skills that employers are seeking: career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.  
4. Major Exploration & Confirmation
   Reflect on service-learning experiences as a method to explore, refine, and/or confirm their choice of major. 

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

National Association of Colleges and Employers' Career Readiness Competencies

Active Citizen Continuum

Social Change Model

Service-learning at FGCU is integrated through a graduation requirement. Service-learning must be completed with a registered nonprofit or government agency.

Learn more about the graduation requirement

Learn more about the parameters for completing service-learning hours

Service-learning experiences help students develop and refine the same skills that employers are seeking from recent college graduates.² FGCU cares deeply about each student as well as the communities in which they will soon live. The FGCU service-learning requirement sets students up with an advantage through these experiences that can put them above other candidates when applying to jobs and graduate schools. At the same time, FGCU graduates leave with a deeper understanding and level of positive engagement in the world around them.