CSL Awards for Excellence in Service Learning + Community Engagement

Each year, one faculty member is honored for implementing service learning in a manner consistent with good practice and for demonstrating an impact on students and the community both in and out of the classroom.

Requirements

• Service learning pedagogy incorporated into courses over at least three semesters at the University of Kansas
• Courses listed as designated service learning courses with the Center for Service Learning
• Tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty members are all eligible
• Self-nominations accepted, or from faculty, staff, students, or community partners

Faculty Excellence in Service Learning will be determined by:

• Implementing service learning in a manner consistent with good practice
• Meaningful integration of the service experience with course content
• Appropriate and effective incorporation of critical reflection
• Working closely with community partner(s) in the development of a service-learning project or course
• Demonstrating an impact on students and the community both in and out of the classroom
• Evidence of dissemination of scholarship (publications, presentations, performances, etc.)
• Consideration of, and ongoing commitment to, the needs of community partner(s)
• Evidence of impact on student learning, self-awareness, and civic commitment

Each year, one graduate student is honored for promoting community engagement through their research, teaching, or programming initiatives that demonstrates an impact on students and the community.

Requirements

• Graduate Assistants (GAs), Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs), and Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are all eligible
• Self-nominations accepted, or from faculty, staff, students, or community partners

Graduate Student Excellence will be determined by:

• Working closely with community partners in providing leadership to a service-learning project, community-engaged research effort, or civic engagement program
• Demonstrating a positive impact on student and the community
• Consideration of, and and ongoing commitment to, the needs of community partners
• Demonstrating high-quality work, showing a level of responsibility, leadership, and professionalism

One student is honored for showing civic commitment, community awareness, and positive community impact through service learning, as well as the academic impact and personal development through service learning or community engagement. 

Requirements

• Junior or senior standing
• Self-nominations accepted, or from faculty, staff, students, or community partners

Student Excellence in Service Learning will be determined by:

• Evidence of civic commitment, community awareness, and positive community impact through service learning, such as:
• Engaging proactively with community partner(s)
• Demonstrating exceptional or innovative service or community engagement accomplishments
• Leading, inspiring, and engaging others in action

Evidence of the impacts on their academic learning and personal development, such as:

• Demonstrating excellence in critical thinking and quality reflection
• Demonstrating depth of understanding and exhibiting personal growth as a result of the service-learning experience
• Demonstrating deepened understanding of the social responsibility of professionals in their field or discipline
• Demonstrating high quality work, showing a high level of responsibility and professionalism

Each year, we honor one community partner who has exemplified notable partnership with the  University of Kansas and the CSL. The recipient of this award has made a significant contribution to KU’s culture of engagement through their partnership in promoting engaged learning, scholarship, and service.

Requirements

• Community organization collaborating with faculty, staff, and/or students from the KU Lawrence campus
• Provide and support opportunities for student earning and engagement
• Self-nominations accepted, or from faculty, staff, students, or community partners

Community Partner Excellence will be determined by:

• Engaging proactively with campus partners, such as faculty members, research centers, and/or student organizations
• Demonstrated impact on campus for faculty. staff, and students
• Demonstrated impact of campus collaboration in addressing community goals or needs
• Consideration of ongoing commitment to campus partnership

One KU staff member is recognized for engaging community organizations and local concerns in their work at the University of Kansas. The recipient of this award is an exceptional leader in promoting engaged learning, scholarship, and service.

Requirements

• Member of the KU community (faculty or staff)
• Self-nominations accepted, or from faculty, staff, students, or community partners

Excellence in Community Engagement will be determined by:

• Evidence of civic commitment, community awareness, and positive community impact through community engagement
• Engaging proactively with community partner(s)
• Incorporate and support opportunities for student engagement