The Academic Service-Learning Advisory Committee has named Alexa Darby, assistant professor of psychology, as the 2010-2011 Service-Learning Research Scholar.
The S-L Research Scholar role was created to provide a support mechanism for faculty members who have previously served as Service-Learning Faculty Scholars to continue their involvement in service-learning and to support research into this pedagogy. Darby is the first recipient of this award.
Darby’s research will identify the issues that effect faculty, student, and community partner motivation to participate in service-learning throughout a semester long service-learning course. She will also be identifying potential support systems to increase commitment to service-learning projects and minimize loss of motivation.
This research will make a major contribution to understanding the long-term relationships between the university and its community partners in providing students with academic service-learning opportunities that are meaningful and beneficial for all involved.