Thomas Segar, IUP vice president for Student Affairs, announced the transition of the Office of Service Learning to the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement (MCSLE).
"I am excited about this transition and the opportunity to enhance the IUP student experience through linking service learning, leadership, and engagement through a multicultural lens," Segar said. "MCSLE will continue the excellent work of our Career and Professional Development Center colleagues."
According to its Mission and Vision statement, "MCSLE provides opportunities for students to develop skills that enhance lifelong problem-solving, relationship-building, communication, and decision-making abilities in our complex, diverse society. MCSLE promotes the development of a university community characterized by student involvement, unity, inclusion, and multicultural competence, while respecting and supporting the needs and desires of members of affinity groups to gather and celebrate distinctive cultural backgrounds, traditions, and experiences in safe spaces."
While part of the Career and Professional Development Center, the Office of Service Learning coordinated several projects and events, including Into the Streets, the Community Involvement Fair, university blood drives, the Angels' Wings program, and the Community Service Learning Federal Work Study Program. In the past, the program received recognition for six consecutive years from the national President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts to America's communities
"The CPDC recognizes the importance of students gaining practical and relevant real-world experience to best prepare them for their professional path and to make them more competitive in the job market," Tammy Manko, director of the Career and Professional Development Center, said. "Service learning and community service provide outstanding opportunities for gaining such experience. While our team in the CPDC values civic engagement, recognizes its importance, and enjoyed our work with the OSL, we advocated for this program shift because we believe the office is more appropriately situated in MSCLE where service opportunities can be incorporated in a more creative and holistic manner."
Brianna Drylie, MCSLE assistant director, program coordination, communication, and assessment, will oversee the Office of Service Learning.
"I'm excited to get started on the different projects that come along with the merge and hope to increase engagement and participation within the programs and get more students to utilize the Service Learning program," Drylie said.
For more information about the program, please email service-learning@iup.edu or call 724-357-2598.