About Us

Grounded in equity and justice, the Center for Service-Learning and Social Action facilitates community-engaged, experiential learning through sustained partnerships in order to strengthen academic outcomes, develop ethical leaders, and foster lifelong civic engagement.

Learning Outcomes:

Through service-learning experiences and service opportunities students will:

• Apply and deepen course knowledge through engaged experiential learning.
• Gain increased knowledge of community issues, needs, strengths, challenges, and resources.
• Develop competency to challenge uncritical assumptions about the lives of others, especially those living in poverty and on the margins.
• Cultivate a habit of reflection about the meaning of service in their lives and how their service experience informs their vocation.
• Develop an awareness of civic responsibility and the importance of community engagement.
• Engage in advocacy work that fosters solidarity, promotes the common good, and contributes to social change.
• Engage in activities that advance the promotion of justice and social action.
• Develop a greater understanding of others’ lived experiences through sustained, personal interactions.
• Communicate skillfully in multiple forms of expression.
• Cultivate a lifelong habit of service as members of the John Carroll University community and as alumni.

Dr. Katherine Feely, SND, Ed.D.
Director
kfeely@jcu.edu
216.397.1966

Heather Craigie
Assistant Director, Student Development & Logistics
hcraigie@jcu.edu
216.397.6233

John Jackson
Assistant Director, Community Partnerships
jnjackson@jcu.edu
216.397.1662

Lin Smith
Data & Analytics Specialist
lsmith@jcu.edu
216.397.2024

Ursula Rossman
Administrative Coordinator
urossman@jcu.edu
216.397.4698

Brittany Steiger
Graduate Assistant
bsteiger26@jcu.edu

Mary Frances Allen
Graduate Assistant
mallen23@jcu.edu

Chair
Sr. Katherine Feely, SND, Ed.D.
Director, Center for Service and Social Action

Members:

• Rich Clark
• Peter Kvidera
• Tracy Masterson
• Phil Metres
• Rosanna Miguel
• Mark Sheldon
• Colin Swearingen
• Gloria Vaquera
• Mark Waner

The Center for Service-Learning and Social Action was established in 1992 as the Center for Community Service and was dedicated to meeting real community needs, especially the needs of the most vulnerable members of our neighborhoods.

Over the years, the work and outreach efforts of the office grew: new community partnerships developed, new faculty were added as service-learning instructors, and more students sought service opportunities. In 2007 the Center changed its name to the Center for Service-Learning and Social Action.

In Fall 2017, the Center for Community Service celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Center continues to innovate and serve, and the work of the Center has expanded to include:

• The coordination and management of more than 120 weekly service placements for hundreds of students each semester.
• The development of numerous service projects and University-wide service events.
• The creation of a student leadership team to inform and critique our work.
• The development of dynamic training program based on the “The Social Change Model of Leadership.”
• A series of workshops and convenings for service-learning faculty.