Service Learning through a Student-Run Consulting Program Nilupa S. Gunaratna,Purdue University Craig A. Johnson,BYU-Idaho John R. Stevens,Utah State University

Overview Introduction Organizational structure Examples of clients and projects Benefits Challenges Factors of success

Introduction STATCOM (Statistics in the Community) –Student-run consulting service at Purdue University –Professional statistical consulting –Local government and nonprofits –No charge to clients –Voluntary student participation –A model for integrating service learning into graduate student education at other universities

Historical Summary | | | | | Consultants Projects

Director Project Manager Team Leader Team Members Team Leader Team Members Project Manager Team Leader Team Members Team Leader Team Members Associate Director Advisor Organizational Structure

Director Project Manager Team Leader Team Members Team Leader Team Members Project Manager Team Leader Team Members Team Leader Team Members Associate Director Advisor Organizational Structure Team Member Roles Team leader An additional experienced member 2-3 other people

Organizational Structure Structure designed to –Spread out responsibilities –Involve more students in leadership –Develop consultants’ skills –Encourage peer mentoring –Accommodate many simultaneous projects Minimize dependence on faculty –Build expertise within the body of students

Examples of Projects Sagamore Parkway Task Force West Lafayette City Strategic Plan Lafayette School Corporation West Lafayette Public Library P-12 Outreach

Other Examples (Confidentiality assured) Youth group home Youth organizations Performing artists Retirement center Family support center Campus groups at Purdue University Survey design & analysis Improving survey response rates Personnel retention Analysis of donor characteristics Graphical data summaries

Sample Report

Typical Project Cycle Identifying Clients Initial Meeting Statistical Analysis Written Report Follow-up Meeting Client Feedback Documentation

Benefits – for Students Skills –Leadership / Management / Teamwork –Written / oral communication (general public) Translating client’s problem into a statistical problem Solving the statistical problem Translating results into a format useful to the client Academic / Professional presentations –Biweekly meetings –Conferences / symposia –Public fora

Benefits – for Students Supplement to graduate education –Practical applications of coursework –Early involvement in graduate education –Maintain balance and perspective during graduate education Good résumé builder Intangibles

Other Benefits Department / College / University –Increased interaction and visibility –Engagement / Service –Good public relations & networking tool Community –Obvious benefit: free consulting –More statistically sound methods –Enhanced partnership with the university

Challenges Developing organizational structure Convincing faculty the benefits are worth the time Finding first few projects Projects that “fizzle” Continuity from semester-to-semester Documentation

Factors of Success Support from Department and Head Support from individual faculty/advisors Advising support Student autonomy Financial support –Brochures and business cards –Photocopies, meeting refreshments, etc.

Factors of Success Computer support –Laptops– Shared directory –Website– aliases Faculty recognition Enthusiasm from graduate students (natural) –Over 1/3 of students involved

Conclusions Many benefits –Enriches graduate student experience –Highlights department and university –Service to community STATCOM can be used as a model for other community consulting services

Acknowledgments Regina Becker, Purdue University Teena Seele, Purdue University Nels Grevstad, Metropolitan State College of Denver Mary Ellen Bock, Purdue University George McCabe, Purdue University Doug & Cheryl Crabill, Purdue University Many student officers and consultants at Purdue University