Almost 75% of the more than 20,000 University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) students are Hispanic, the majority of them first-generation college students. UTEP is largely a commuter campus, 60% of students attend full-time, and the vast majority of them work. In this context, engagement in the community is a key ingredient to student success at UTEP, reinforcing classroom instruction with real-world applications and allowing students to recognize the value of their newly acquired skills and education.
Institution:
University of Texas at El Paso
Academic Level:
Baccalaureate
Issue Area:
Retention
Year:
2008
Designation:
Examples of Excelencia
Designation:
Honorable Mention
Key Personnel:
Ruiz, Azuri
Address:
University of Texas at El Paso
Address 2:
Benedict Hall, Room 101
City:
El Paso
State:
TX
Zip:
79968 Website:
Goal/Mission:
The mission and purpose of the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) is to engage faculty and students in the area through community-based activities to enhance student learning, promote civic engagement, and actively improve the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez region. The goal of service-learning at UTEP is not merely to educate the student on substantive issues such as community needs and nonprofit organizations, but to offer life-changing experiences that transform the way a student views his/her career aspirations, family and cultural background, feelings of self-worth and identity, and the reasons for pursuing a college education and a particular major(s). Through this transformation, students become equal partners in the educational process and make contributions to their own success and development.
Outcome:
Since 2004, 2,462 students have participated in the programs. A large sampling of participants (n=1,465) suggests that nearly 80% of students participating in CCE are Hispanic. Over 50 students have participated in a CCE internship, and 100% of the current interns are Hispanic/Latino. Using a variety of methods, CCE can document the effectiveness of its services in advancing Latino student achievement and development. More than 86% of students who participated in service learning (n=1,235) agreed or strongly agreed that they understood the link between what they learned in class and what they learned in the community. More than 75% felt that the experience contributed to their development in leadership; 71.4% believed their self-confidence increased as a result of the experience; 86% agreed that it changed their perception about the need for social change and their commitment to “get involved”; and 39% stated that they will pursue a career in the nonprofit sector as a function of service-learning. Service-learning, therefore, increases students’ learning inside the classroom, challenges students’ pre-existing notions and perceptions, increases students’ leadership skills and confidence, and even allows some students to find new career options and passions. The student internship positions seem to have a positive effect on student retention and graduation rates. Forty-nine of the 50 student interns have graduated or are on-track to graduate. CCE has connected UTEP faculty and students to local community organizations, and in turn these groups have started their own service-learning programs. Ninety-five UTEP faculty members have offered a service-learning component in at least one of their courses; 11,356 students have participated in service-learning programs; and 110 community partners have welcomed students to their organizations. Through the programs, students have contributed nearly 300,000 hours to the community, the equivalent of 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for 34 years and 3 months!
Search Programs
