We have been working for the past eight weeks to prepare the Capstone Project, the culminating work of our studies in the Master of Arts in Leadership. We have learned a great deal from our coursework, especially in Servant and Community Leadership and have chosen to propose the addition of service to the Leadership Program. We have grown exponentially both personally and professionally in our time at Albertus and offer our Capstone as a way to give back. What follows is an excerpt from our case for adding service-learning.
Greg Baldwin is the President of VolunteerMatch, an organization that connects people to causes in their area. VolunteerMatch is also the leading resource for businesses, campuses, brands, and national nonprofit organizations that want to successfully engage employees and customers as volunteers. Baldwin regularly writes blog posts for LinkedIn. Last year he wrote a blog entitled, “Why Smart Companies Volunteer.” He states, “Contrary to popular opinion volunteering isn’t so much what companies do when they lack purpose or vision, it is what they do when they’ve got it.” He states that organizations like Google have woven a desire to do good into the fabric of their culture. They breed committed employees who demand the opportunity to give back. In our own personal experiences, we have found that being actively involved in volunteerism and community service has enriched our lives, and allowed us to contribute our personal talents to organizations and/or individuals in need. It appears that our colleagues in leadership have chosen this course of study to also enrich their lives. Because of this, we believe that the students and alumni of the Leadership Program at Albertus Magnus would also embrace a culture shift that includes an espoused focus on commitment to serving the community-at-large.
Based on the College’s commitment to service and experiential learning coupled with our academic research and conversations with colleagues, we believe volunteerism should be integrated into the curriculum and culture of the Leadership Programs at Albertus Magnus College. Volunteerism will support the evolution of better leaders. Individuals who give their time and talent to a volunteer dependent organization will grow their network, step outside of their comfort zone and learn more about themselves than they otherwise would. Establishing relationships in both the internal community (between students and alumni) and the external community (non-profit organizations) would be mutually beneficial for all groups involved including the Leadership Program itself. Participating in volunteer activities will allow leadership students to enhance and practice the skills that they have learned in the classroom, which links directly to the mission of the College. “The mission of Albertus Magnus College is to provide men and women with an education that promotes the search for truth in all its dimensions and is practical in its application.” In addition, students, faculty and staff will gain a meaningful connection to the Dominican pillars that have guided the spirit of the College since its founding in 1925: prayer, study, community and service. By participating in volunteer activities, we propose that participants will gain a deeper appreciation for their coursework and for one another while building critical connections to the community.
We look forward to supporting the Leadership Program, as alumni, and taking Leadership to the next level through volunteerism. Like Google, Albertus-educated leaders have vision and the desire to make a difference. We can all be proud of providing the bridge between our students and the community, knowing it will have a very positive impact.
Pictured are 24 volunteers from Albertus Magnus College at Davis Street Arts and Academic School in New Haven taking part in Junior Achievement Day (a case study as part of the Capstone project).
Written by Kevin Caplik and Stefanie Seslar