Centered in the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching in dialogue with the contemporary Jesuit commitment to a faith that does justice, the Center for Service and Social Action educates for justice by offering opportunities for learning through service and advocacy. The Center connects the campus with the community through sustained partnerships that enable us to realize the Jesuit goal of developing well-educated men and women who understand what it means to stand in solidarity with those living in poverty and on the margins; to engage in ongoing reflection; and to build a more just and humane society.
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.
Sr. Katherine Feely, SND
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
Mary Beth Brooks
Administrative Assistant
mebrooks@jcu.edu
216.397.4698
Blake Yoho
Assistant Director of Data Management and Communications
byoho@jcu.edu
216.397.2024
Maggie Klem
Graduate Assistant
mklem20@jcu.edu
216.397.6283
Chair
Sr. Katherine Feely, SND
Director, Center for Service and Social Action
Members
Rich Clark, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminology
Director, Peace Justice and Human Rights
Thea Ford, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Education
Nathan Gehlert, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Counseling
Phyllis Braudy Harris, Ph.D.
Professor & Chair, Sociology & Criminology
Erin Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biology
James Krukones, Ph.D.
Associate Academic Vice President
Tracy Masterson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Psychological Science
Malia McAndrew, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, History
Director, Arrupe Scholars
Sheila McGinn, Ph.D.
Chair, Theology and Religious Studies
Paul V. Murphy, Ph.D.
Director, Institute of Catholic Studies
Debby Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, English
Jackie Schmidt, Ph.D.
Professor, Communication & Theatre Arts
Mark Storz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Education
Director, Early College Program
Mark Waner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chemistry
Mariah Webinger, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Accountancy
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 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.
In the words of Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the goal of Jesuit Catholic education is to develop “men and women for and with others.”