Service-Learning Directors Meeting Conference Report Prepared by: Sr Katherine Feely, SND The 2015 convening of the AJCU Service-Learning Directors meeting was hosted by John Carroll University located in University Hts., Ohio and took place from June 9-11, 2015 Twenty-one of the twenty-eight AJCU schools were in attendance The following institutions were represented: Boston College, Canisius College, College of the Holy Cross, Creighton University, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Georgetown University, John Carroll University, Loyola University Maryland, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University New Orleans, Marquette University, Regis University, Rockhurst University, St Louis University, St Peter’s College, Santa Clara University, Seattle University, Spring Hill College, Xavier University Cincinnati The following institutions unable to attend included: Gonzaga, Lemoyne College, Loyola Marymount University, Saint Joseph University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Scranton, and Wheeling Jesuit University Planning Committee: The planning committee consisted of the following members: Leah Sweetman, St Louis University Kim Jensen Bohat, Marquette University Michelle Sterk Barrett, College of the Holy Cross Julia Vargas, Rockhurst University Rachael Hennessey-Crowell, Boston College Maryellen Callanan, John Carroll University Sr Katherine Feely, SND, John Carroll University (Conference Chair) Meeting Content: The meeting agenda was determined by an online survey sent to all AJCU service-learning directors across the country The input and requests for specific topics determined the overall structure and content for the meeting Key experts among the 28 colleges and universities were identified and invited to present The following topics were presented: Keynote: “A Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis: What is happening to the thousands of Undocumented Children who entered the USA unaccompanied by a parent or adult?” by Fr Rick Ryscagage, S.J Fairfield University Panel Response: Models for responding to unaccompanied and undocumented children • Michelle Sterk Barrett, Holy Cross • Mary Angevine, Holy Cross Student, Class of 2017 • Sr Rita Mary Harwood, SND, Cleveland Catholic Diocese • Camille Gill, Immigration Attorney, Catholic Charities, Cleveland Topic: Contemporary Issues in Preparing Students for Service: Race, Class, and Privilege Facilitators: Kim Jensen Bohat and Tyanna McLaurin – Marquette Topic: Engaging the Whole Person: the Role of Service-Learning in Spirituality and Vocation formation Facilitators: Leah Sweetman – St Louis University, Patrick Green – Loyola Chicago, Samantha Guarnieri and Peggy Finucane – John Carroll, and Michelle Sterk Barrett – Holy Cross Topic: Assessment of Student Outcomes and Program Impact Facilitators: Heather Mack –Loyola New Orleans, Star Moore – University of San Francisco, and Angela Gray-Girton – Xavier Meeting: AJCU Service-learning Directors Business Meeting Topic: Community Partner Development and Assessment Facilitators: Patrick Green and Andrew Miller – Loyola Chicago Topic: Faculty Recruitment and Development Facilitators: Julia Vargas – Rockhurst and Daniel Murphy – St Peter’s Topic: Showcase: Best Resources, Best Practices, and Interesting Trends Facilitator: Sr Katherine Feely – John Carroll University Meeting Outcomes: • A business meeting was held the morning of June 7, 2015 The group explored and discussed the pros and cons of becoming a formal AJCU conference After deliberation and a vote, the group unanimously voted to pursue the matter and follow up with Deanna Howes at AJCU Sean Rhiney from Xavier University Cincinnati agreed to serve as the group’s representative to pursue the matter further • • • A new online portal was set up prior to the conclusion of the meeting to provide a place to upload and share key resources, documents, models, rubrics and more The following categories of contents were identified: o Assessment Tools, Faculty Development, Preparing Students for Service, Awards and Data, Great Reads, Race, Class and Privilege, Community Partners, Social Analysis and Theological Reflection, Jesuit Mission and Identity, and Student Leadership Development The group will continue to pursue strategic networking opportunities and will stay connected via the AJCU S-L Directors list serve Those attending key national conferences like IARSLCE will make a point to convene and network The next AJCU Service Learning Directors Conference will take place in 2017