East Carolina University
Faculty Spotlight
Service-Learning Quarterly Page 2
“If we want our students to lead creative, productive, responsible lives, we must give them opportunities to learn in ways that have consequences for others, as well as for themselves. -Judith Ramaley
Beverly Wright, Assistant Professor in the College of Business, has utilized service-learning pedagogy in her Marketing Research (MKTG 4662) classes since Spring Semester 2006. Since then, Wright’s students have successfully created nearly two dozen high quality marketing information reports for local non-profits including Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center, the Humane Society of Eastern North Carolina, and the American Red Cross Blood Services. MKTG 4662 uses optional, project-based servicelearning, with students completing information reports during the course of one semester.
Why do you choose to use service-learning in your classroom? Offering service-learning in Marketing Research benefits my students, the local community and our university. In addition to applying their knowledge from class, students develop an understanding of the importance and rewards associated with helping to serve the community in business-oriented ways. The not-for-profit agencies in the local community are able to gain meaningful, actionable insights for important marketing decisions based on data that they may not have otherwise been able to collect, analyze and interpret. As a result, the university is able to develop stronger bonds with the community and benefit from more well-rounded, service-oriented business students.
What types of reflection do you use throughout the semester? I meet with my students in groups several times throughout the semester. We discuss their progress and their observations about working with VSLC organizations. Some of my regular questions include, “What part of working with an s-l partner might have made the project more or less challenging, and were there special considerations for working with a non profit organization compared to a for profit company?” In your opinion, how can faculty best facilitate successful community partnerships? Communication, understanding and collaboration are the keys to working successfully with community partners. How do you prepare your students for service-learning? I work with my students throughout the semester to coach them and help them understand the perspectives of their community partner organizations. What challenges have you experienced with service-learning? How have you overcome those challenges? What I really want to portray to others... is this: your course does not need to require service-learning in order for you to incorporate service -learning into your curriculum. The course does not have to be about service to the community. Even a course that involves unrelated concepts can still incorporate aspects of service-learning, and non-traditional service-learning courses can still find ways to give to the community. What is the most rewarding aspect of service-learning? I enjoy having representatives from the community organization visit our class and work with our students. Their interaction with us is extremely important and valuable for helping students grow and helping the College of Business become even more service oriented. I am thrilled when I hear about how the organization used our information also. What tips would you give to faculty interested in using service-learning in the future? It may seem like an incredibly difficult task but working with VSLC and our community partners is extraordinarily rewarding for all parties involved.