The Service Learning Initiative is full of gratitude this spring with its events aimed to thank and enhance the experience of faculty, students and community partners who have collaborated with SLI. The high-impact practice of service learning couldn't be as successful at the U of A as it is today without the incredible dedication of the campus community.  

The 2023-24 Outstanding Contributions to Service Learning Teaching Award will be presented to Noah Billig of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design between 8:30 and 10 a.m. Monday, March 11, in CORD 349. If you would like to attend this ceremony, please fill out this form by March 1. All faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend this event where Billig will be honored for his outstanding work in service learning through landscape architecture and design, in addition to respected nominees Anne Velliquette of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and professor Amelia McGowan from the School of Law. Food and drinks will be provided. 

A brand new student award is in the works and needs your nominations! The first ever Outstanding Service Learning Student Award is planned to be presented to a student who has gone above and beyond in their service learning course work. Please submit your nomination using this form by March 1. All nominated students, including our winner, will be recognized on March 11 at the 2023-24 Outstanding Contributions to Service Learning Teaching Award ceremony.  

If you or a faculty member you know are interested in pursuing experiential learning opportunities with your class, the new workshop Designation at the Door is the place for you! In this workshop, faculty wishing to pursue service-learning course designation will be assisted from start to finish in submitting required materials to the Service Learning Initiative for approval. Attendees should bring their laptops as they will sit alongside Service Learning Committee members who will answer all their questions along the way. Designed to take the guesswork out of the application process, this workshop will help take faculty from the idea of service learning designation to the final click of the "submit" button. From navigating the InfoReady platform to community partner involvement and student engagement, all questions are welcome! Designation at the Door will be held on March 29, 2024, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in CORD 127. Sign up to attend using this form by March 1. Food and drinks will be provided. 

If you have any questions about these events or anything else in regards to service learning, please email the Service Learning coordinator, Noelle Kingsbauer, at svclrn01@uark.edu.