Service Learning
At
Worcester State University, the world is your classroom. WSU has been part of the fabric of
the larger community since our founding in 1874. From our original commitment
to the new thinking in education in the 19th century to our growing global
emphasis today, we empower you to transform your curiosity and passion into the knowledge and skills that can shape our communities and our world.
We
recommitted to that founding vision in 2006 with a multidisciplinary approach
fostered by the John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement.
The center promotes collaborations among faculty and local organizations and
businesses to develop student projects and internships that serve the community.
In
2012, the center united with the our Residence Life and Housing Office to enhance this work
through the creation of the Community and Leadership Experience
at Worcester State
(CLEWS) living-learning community. Each year, a select
group of first-year students lives on designated gender-specific floors in Dowden Hall, takes 2 linked courses, and participates in extracurricular activities
and trainings that explore themes of self-development, community building, and leadership.
Graduate
student opportunities develop organically through course or program activities
created by faculty and program coordinators. Students in a health-care program
may take service-oriented trips abroad, for example, while students in the management
program might serve as statistical consultants for a nonprofit organization.