Service-Learning and Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences is dedicated, through our mission
statement, to community involvement and engagement. OSU-CHS has a variety of ways
in which we promote and help our community; Volunteering, Community Service, and Service-Learning
are just some examples of our commitment to community engagement.
OSU-CHS MISSION
STRATEGIC AND TACTICAL GOALS IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
- Continue needs assessment for the people and groups that OSU-CHS serves and proceed
with plans for meeting those needs
- Cultivate the organizational structure to provide easy mechanisms for external partners
to collaborate with and gain access to the University
- Utilize the University’s resources to serve Oklahoma’s economic development goals
- Develop, support, and promote the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources
in a context of partnership and reciprocity
- Proudly message OSU achievements and innovations, as well as contributions made locally
and globally through service and engagement
Service Learning
What is Service-Learning?
Service-Learning is an experiential learning strategy that combines community engagement
with learning objectives and meaningful classroom reflection to encourage civic responsibility
while strengthening communities and enhancing the educational process.
Service-Learning is not the same as volunteer work or community service. With Service-Learning
our students and community partners develop a reciprocal relationship that not only
fulfills a needed community service but also helps our students understand classroom
objectives so they can apply what they are learning in class in a meaningful way while
fostering social responsibility.
OSU-CHS Mission
Strategic and tactical goals in support of community engagement:
- Continue needs assessment for the people and groups that OSU-CHS serves and proceed
with plans for meeting those needs
- Cultivate the organizational structure to provide easy mechanisms for external partners
to collaborate with and gain access to the University
- Utilize the University’s resources to serve Oklahoma’s economic development goals
- Develop, support, and promote the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources
in a context of partnership and reciprocity
- Proudly message OSU achievements and innovations, as well as contributions made locally
and globally through service and engagement
Here are what students say about OSU-CHS classes that have Service-Learning and Community
Engagement:
- “I feel like I learned the most from the observation and community service activities.”
- “I have really enjoyed the senior mentor program. It has been very rewarding to develop
a relationship with my senior mentor. I also like the CAP health roundup.”
- “The best aspects were the hands-on experiences we got through this course.”
- “The opportunities to get involved with cap and senior mentor project were very enjoyable
and helpful.”
- “The best part was the underserved clinic experience.”
- “I actually really love this course. I think of it as the part of school where we
actually get to practice and think about being doctors. I loved every part of the
Senior Mentor project and also going to the Underserved Clinic and CAP.
- The outside experiences were very helpful in getting our feet wet. I like the early
experience in gaining medical histories and working with other professionals in the
healthcare field.”
For more information about Service-Learning or Community Engagement, please contact:
Justin Zumwalt
Manager of Service-Learning
918-561-1280
justin.zumwalt@okstate.edu
Justin Zumwalt
Manager of Service-Learning
918-561-1280
justin.zumwalt@okstate.edu