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College of Arts and Sciences

CCRE Director Timothy Hoffman Presents at International Symposium on Service Learning - Seton Hall University

 

Timothy Hoffman presenting at the 8th International Symposium on Service Learning at the University of Nicosia.Timothy Hoffman presenting at the 8th International Symposium on Service Learning at the University of Nicosia.

Timothy Hoffman ‘15/M.P.A. ’16, Director of Seton Hall University’s Center for Community Research and Engagement (CCRE), presented at the 8th International Symposium on Service Learning, which was held at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. On June 10, 2022, Hoffman delivered a workshop titled “Service Learning AC (After COVID): Where Do We Go From Here?”

Hoffman’s workshop focused on the efforts of the CCRE during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue offering service learning and provide meaningful connections to local communities. Through service learning being incorporated into courses in the University Core, the CCRE worked with faculty to implement service learning in 15 sections of Journey of Transformation in the fall 2020 semester and in six sections of Christianity and Cultures in Dialogue in the spring 2021 semester. 445 students participated in completely virtual service opportunities during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Student participation increased in 2021-2022 as the CCRE developed and implemented a hybrid model for service learning programs. Service learning was incorporated into 17 sections of Journey of Transformation during the fall 2021 semester, 5 sections of Journey of Transformation during the spring 2022 semester, and 5 sections of Christianity and Culture in Dialogue for the spring 2022 semester. Over 500 students participated in service learning through programs with CCRE in 2021-2022, completing nearly 4,000 hours of service with community partners.

Hoffman’s presentation highlighted Seton Hall’s successes and provided a workshop to discuss ways other universities could implement the CCRE’s innovative approach to service learning. The workshop also provided participants an opportunity to consider the future of service learning. Hoffman indicated that the CCRE’s work during the pandemic was unique among many colleges and universities and that this symposium was a “great opportunity for us to reflect on what we learned and provided a forum for colleagues from across the world to discuss how we can most effectively engage our communities moving forward.”

The CCRE, founded in 1997, operates out of the College of Arts and Sciences and coordinates the activities of the University as it implements service learning and community-based research on campus. To learn more about service learning and the CCRE, click here or contact Timothy Hoffman at [email protected].

Categories: Arts and Culture, Faith and Service