“If you had any advice for a student…” Service leadership: the first-year student experience Connor Curtis Human Development and Family Studies; Leadership Studies and English Putting a roof over their head Sophomore Year Classrooms Without Borders Participate in alternative spring break service trip to Birmingham, Alabama Took a course about race, class, and poverty in the United States, as well as engaged in discussions about how to solve social issues Worked with a diverse group of students as well as community members If you’re wondering how I got here... Freshman Year The Leadership Studies minor Learned strengths and values Applied leadership theories and models to real-life situations Discuss self-leadership and group development Become a part of a cohort of other students Leadership Institute, 2014 Classroom Without Borders, 2016 Rubber chickens, beach balls, and bandanas, oh my! Junior Year Student Organization Leadership Consultants and Northwoods Challenge Course Experiential education Hands-on learning, reflection, application Outdoor education Learned how to teach others through experiential education . Now what? Senior Year Honors Project Alternative introductory course for first-year Leadership Studies minor students Service leadership based – engage in service projects weekly Experiential education – understanding how service complements group dynamic, individual leadership, and social justice Use readings and class time to understand how systems of oppression create social inequality Leadership Studies minor alum, 2018 Student Organization Leadership Consultants, 2017 The missing puzzle piece The Leadership Studies minor is grounded in theories of leadership including building relationships, being a social change agent, and serving with leadership. Creating a servant leadership alternative course to the introductory first-year leadership course would address the following issues: Attrition rate of students from the Leadership Studies minor Tangible application of servant leadership, a cornerstone of the Leadership Studies minor Overall engagement to the larger community, while serving their needs. The Rhode Island Community Engaging with local non-profits and service organizations helped to identify the needs of the Rhode Island population, as well as groups that are typically underserved. Who to serve: People of color Children Those below the poverty line Differently-abled people (mental illness, developmental delays, addiction) Students Women and mothers Immigrants/Refugees The needs of students In a survey of 102 students in the Leadership Studies minor: 83% had participated in a service project throughout their time enrolled in the minor 67% of students wish the Leadership Studies minor offered more service opportunities 54% felt they learned better through experiential education (i.e. activities, reflection, informal learning, outdoor education) 72% did not feel confident in their knowledge about social justice issues or cultural competencies 81% had not actively discussed social justice issues within the past semester Students also reported struggling to stay in the minor if they don’t get a seat in the initial introductory course, or feeling a sense of connectedness with other students in class Meeting student needs An alternative introductory course will create more space for students to begin the Leadership Studies minor Through service, students will interact with a diverse range of their peers The course will create more opportunities for getting started in service and cultivating a long-term passion Experiential education with service allows space for crucial conversations, reflection, and application of material Students will be learn and understand how social justice is tied to service How college students can help Fundraising Social media campaigns Mentoring younger children Clerical work Vote Advocacy Education “If you had any advice for a student…” “Get involved.” “Get educated” “Even small acts make a difference”, “Remember the humanity behind who you serve” “It’s the best thing you can do – you will always get more than you give” Acknowledgements Thank you Professor Robert Widell for your continued support and education as my sponsor Thank you to the Center for Student Leadership Development for giving me the foundations of leadership and helping me find my passions