The Office of Citizenship and Service-Learning is in full swing for the 2012-2013 school year!  We have new students, new community partners and new projects, and the high-energy CASL staff is especially thrilled about the more than 70% increase in component service-learning students this year.  These are all students who are passionate about connecting their academic learning to meaningful community service.  Many worthwhile connections have been made between students and community partners and students are already at work using service-learning to make a difference in Springfield and the local community.

Service-learning students work with various community partners to engage in community-based problem solving and to address social justice issues.  Collaboration  between faculty,  community  partners, and the CASL office  has  resulted  in  the development of many  innovative  and  engaging  service-learning projects  including  voter registration education, an after school program with Robberson Elementary School, and joint projects with the USDA and the Missouri Autism Report.  The Office of Citizenship and Service-Learning is heavily involved in fostering an environment in which Missouri state students, faculty, and staff can work together to create meaningful and long lasting change in the Springfield community and beyond.