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SERVICE-LEARNING

Kellogg Community College is committed to the development of students through service-learning and civic engagement and strongly encourages students to gain experience in this field during their time here. The College has developed many community partnerships to ensure students obtain meaningful experiences that also meet the needs of their community. Upon completion of service requirements in designated courses, students receive a service-learning endorsement on their academic transcripts.

Contact the Service-Learning Office at servicelearning@kellogg.edu or 269-565-2880.

Service-Learning Endorsement

Service-learning combines service to the community with academic objectives to equally benefit the community and the student. Students participate in projects that meet community needs and that involve self-reflection, self-discovery, and the acquisition of values, skills, and content knowledge.

View the the dropdowns below for information about KCC’s service-learning endorsement requirement for all students seeking an associate degree.

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Service-Learning Endorsement


Students are able to obtain a service-learning endorsement on their official transcripts at KCC. There are several classes in a wide variety of subjects that include service-learning endorsements.

  • Service-learning is applying classroom skills and knowledge into serving and volunteering within the community for at least 15 hours throughout the semester for a class.
  • It combines service to the community with academic objectives that equally benefit the community and the student, allowing students to solidify concepts taught in the classroom and positively impact society through their actions.
Service-Learning Requirement


All KCC students graduating with an associate degree are required to complete a service-learning experience. Talk with your academic advisor or the service-learning manager for more information about graduation requirements.

For an overview of how service-learning works and how to get started, check out our Service-Learning Brochure.

How can you earn a service-learning endorsement? Check out this video for some options.

Once you have chosen a class, view our Connecting to Service Learning Flyer for suggestions on different places to serve.

Service-Learning Courses


To find a course where you can gain the service-learning endorsement, click the “service-learning section” box when searching or registering for your classes. This will pull up all courses that will provide you the opportunity to receive the endorsement. If you can’t find a course that offers service-learning as an option you can take one of three SERV courses listed below.

  • SERV-100
  • SERV-200

SERV-200 is a three-credit course dedicated to the history, goals and practical application of service-learning, which meets the global awareness general education requirement. Students complete at least 24 hours of service in this course. Check out the video to hear about alumnus Thomas Graham’s SERV 200 experience.

SERV-299 is a service-learning dedicated course. The course gives KCC students the opportunity to give back to our community by serving 100 hours to help create capacity for other students to serve. This course provides students with the opportunity to gain field experience within the nonprofit sector to help develop opportunities for other KCC students while learning about community need. Check out the below video to hear about alumnus Albert Hum’s SERV 299 experience. Students interested in this course need to receive prior permission. If you are interested please contact Kate Coplin at coplink@kellogg.edu or 269-565-7911.

About Service-Learning

Service-learning is a teaching and learning method that engages students in deep academic inquiry and reflection related to their field of study while they are also actively engaged in their own community. It allows students to solidify concepts taught in the classroom, apply their learning and discover how they can strengthen communities and positively impact society through their actions. Students gain skills and knowledge in and out of the classroom to help them develop personal and professional success, gain essential life skills and become civically engaged citizens.

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Service-Learning Mission


To promote the personal and professional growth of students, faculty and staff through collaboration on service projects in the community. Students have optimal opportunities to practice and apply concepts and to reflect on and evaluate both their own development and the impact of their service on the local and global community.

Service-Learning Benefits


Service-learning combines service to the community with academic objectives to equally benefit the community and the student. Students participate in projects that meet community needs and that involve self-reflection, self-discovery and the acquisition of values, skills and content knowledge.

Benefits for Students

  • Bridges classroom learning with real-life applications
  • Increases student self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Increases awareness of societal challenges and resources
  • Broadens perspectives of diversity issues
  • Credits transfer to many four-year institutions*
  • Encourages civic responsibility through active community involvement
  • Develops career skills and interests

Benefits for the Community

  • Provides positive, meaningful ways to meet community needs
  • Broadens the community awareness of college programs and initiatives
  • Allows working professionals to develop relationships with potential employees
  • Strengthens community partnerships
  • Encourages ownership of community and increases citizenship

Benefits for Faculty & the College

  • Builds rich and active learning experiences in each academic content area
  • Increases college staff awareness of potential community resources
  • Improves student retention and satisfaction
  • Supports the college mission and achievement of accreditation standards of quality
  • Deepens connection to local community

*Students should talk to their potential four-year institution about requirements and transferability of credits.

Awards & Recognition


In recognition of the service and engagement of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners, Kellogg Community College was awarded the following prestigious service awards:

  • Michigan Campus Compact Engaged Campus of the Year (2017)
  • The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll (2015)
  • The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll (2014)
  • The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll (2013)

Service-Learning Alumni Survey

Over the years there has been a lot of research on the long-term benefits of service-learning, but we want to hear from you as a KCC alumni. Thank you for taking this survey to help us know how KCC students were impacted by service in their life and/or service from their KCC experience.

Take Our Alumni Survey

Service-Learning Contacts

Kate Coplin

Kate Coplin

Chair, Social Sciences and Integrative Learning

Tom DeVault

Tom DeVault

Manager, Integrative Learning

Patricia Wesner

Patricia Wesner

Department Assistant, Integrative Learning

269-965-3931
Jonathan Williams

Jonathan Williams

Faculty, Political Science