NWTC Service-Learning and Civic Engagement 2017-2018 | Page 2

WELCOME LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT It is my pleasure to share Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s 2017-2018 service- learning annual report. This publication highlights just some of NWTC’s unique service-learning projects and community engagement initiatives across our campuses, learning centers, and district. Over the past decade, service-learning has transformed our student experience, surrounding communities, and campus culture. By combining organized service activities and thoughtful reflection, service-learning enhances students’ comprehension of course content while providing them with real-world experience. The impact of service-learning, however, reaches far beyond individual students. During the 2017-2018 academic year, 68 NWTC faculty members – representing every department within the learning division – incorporated into their courses service- learning opportunities in collaboration with more than 120 community partners. Nearly 3,394 students worked on 275 service-learning projects and 58 volunteer projects. From providing health education and vision screenings in rural Northeast Wisconsin (page 29) and providing free tax preparations services for low-income families (page 19), to building a sugar shack educational center for the Oneida Norbert Hill Facility (page 26) and community building with local Police Departments (page 5), service-learning experiences bring students beyond the classroom as they apply their education to solving real-life problems and work together to improve the future of our region, state, country, and world. AUTHENTIC SERVICE-LEARNING DEFINED Service-Learning at NWTC   Is integrated into and enhances the curriculum providing an opportunity for students to apply skills learned in their course, program, or certificate.   Is a method of teaching and learning.   Requires student reflection.   Connects learning and assessment to the real world.   Fosters civic responsibility.   Addresses a community issue and/or enhances community development.   Is mutually beneficial to the learner and the community. NWTC Service-Learning Over the course of the 2017-2018 academic year, NWTC students from every academic department participated in 275 authentic service-learning projects and 58 volunteer projects. Together, students completed over 58,000 hours of service to the community resulting in over $1.4 million in economic impact*. These opportunities allowed students to apply their knowledge and skills to positively impact community members. Some service- Sincerely, learning projects were one-time opportunities, while other recur annually. H. Jeffrey Rafn, Ph.D. President, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College *Based on the estimated value of volunteer time according to Independent Sector.