Program History

In 1996, the Service Learning Institute expanded its infrastructure support for faculty, community partners and students involved in service learning through the development of the University Service Advocates Program. Through initial funding from the Corporation for National Service and other local donors, the SLI developed a model student leadership program that enabled CSUMB student leaders to play key roles in the development and delivery of the service learning mission at California State University Monterey Bay.

In 2003 the Service Learning Institute received a three-year institutionalization grant from the Surdna Foundation to establish the Student Leadership in Service Learning (sl)2 Program.

Grant goals:

1. Stabilization of a service learning leadership program as a core component of the Service Learning Institute supported by CSUMB’s main budget;
2. Development of the capacity to support replication of similar student leadership programs at other institutions of higher education, especially in the California State University system; and
3. Documentation of the program’s impact and contribution to the knowledge-base on social justice-related teaching and learning, emphasizing the power of peer-facilitated learning.

Grant project outcomes:

• Recruitment, training, and employment of Service Learning Student Leaders (SL2s) by the Service Learning Institute to support high quality service learning through work with key community partners each semester;
• Development of strong co-teaching partnerships among SL2s, faculty, and community partners;
• Implementation of SL2 led community action projects that provide opportunities for CSUMB students to connect with critical community issues and resources;
• Provision of ongoing support and professional development for SL2s through workshop presentations at conferences;
• Ongoing assessment and evaluation of the experiences of (sl)2 Program alumnae, community partners, and service learning faculty to learn about the impacts of service learning leadership and students as co-teachers and peer mentors; and
• Provision of guidance and support for other California State University system student leadership programs focused on service learning.