1. Service-Learning in St. Ambrose University’s Honors Program:
Developing the Balance of Civic Contribution and Interdisciplinary Learning
Jessica Cannova
FirstYear Experience
St. Ambrose University
The Honors Program
St. Ambrose University launched the
Honors Program in the fall of 2012.
The admission requirements include a
written essay, minimum 3.6 GPA, and
ACT score of 26 or higher. Once ad-
mitted, students must maintain a 3.25
cumulative GPA to remain in the pro-
gram.
The Honors Program at St. Ambrose
University is organized around an in-
terdisciplinary core offered in the first
semester of students’ first year. The
Honors Core includes two seminars
that fulfill two general education re-
quirements, Service Learning, and a
Speakers Series totaling six credits.
Students chose either theme A:
“Globalization: The Ripple Effect” or
theme B: “The Race to Equality”,
based on their interest in the topics
that address current issues.
In the Honors Core A, “The Ripple
Effect: Water as a Global Resource”
seminar was team-taught by Profes-
sors in Criminal Justice/ Law and Biolo-
gy. In the Honors Core B, “The 2012
Presidential Election” seminar was
team-taught by Professors in Philoso-
phy and Political Science. To best inte-
grate these themes with a community
agency that expressed a need, The
Quad Cities Waterkeeper, Scott County
Republican office, and Scott County
Democrat office were chosen for the
Service Learning Course.
Honors A Service-Learning
First-year honor students applied class-
room topics directly toward their service
with the Quad Cities Waterkeeper, Art
Norris. In the fall of 2012 Norris was in
the process of working on Clean Water
Act violations in the Green River located
just outside of Davenport, IA.
Norris’ needs with the Green River includ-
ed research on the Clean Water Act and
cement waste, relocation of endangered
mussels, and promotional materials in-
volving cement and cigarette water pollu-
tion.
Students chose one of these needs and
logged a minimum of 20 hours during the
semester. In addition, they wrote weekly
reflections, and published a final website
displaying the Honors Core integration
within their small service groups. Also, as
a requirement of the Speakers Series,
these groups presented to the campus
community about their experience in the
Honors Core.
Honors B Service-Learning
First-year honor students applied class-
room topics directly toward their service
for the Scott County Republican Office,
Scott County Democrat Office and St.
Ambrose University’s Student Govern-
ment Association (SGA). Classroom dis-
cussions that were visible in their service
included the following topics: campaign
strategy, tactics, duties and techniques,
political debates, advertisements, and
positions.
Students chose to serve either the Re-
publican or Democratic party in addition
to serving in non-partisan initiatives
through SGA, including voter registra-
tion. Identical to the Honors A section,
students were required to serve and log
a minimum of 20 hours over the semes-
ter, write weekly reflections, and publish
a final website displaying the Honors
Core integration within their small ser-
vice groups.
Opportunities and Challenges
Students established diverse perspectives through guided reflection, interactive community developments, and real-time challenges brought
about by applying lessons to practical problems. Public projects awakened students to how community organizations operate, from large-scale
coordination to personal dynamics. This established real principles and passions relating to the community and fostered construction of a solid
foundation for personal goals in the future.
Challenges in communication and organization required students to establish a meaningful connection between community service and course-
work, equipping them for future adversity. These challenges served as a catalyst for discussions and reflection on the fundamental purpose of
service learning. Critical thinking, collective problem solving and progressive goal-setting addressed the nature of adversity faced by community
agencies as a whole, leading to a more holistic understanding of practical planning and execution.
Student Websites
Honors A
www.anotsoconcretesolution.weebly.com
www.promotingandprotectingourwater.blogspot.com
www.machomussels.weebly.com
Honors B
www.ravefordave.weebly.com
www.mittislegit.weebly.com
For more information:
Jessica Cannova
Cannovajessicaa@sau.edu
563-333-5828