Sustaining Service Learning: The Role of Chief Academic Officers. Project Brief. AACC-PB-03-1

In the fall of 2000, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) received a three-year grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to create and enhance service learning initiatives at community colleges across the country. Service learning combines community service with academic instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking and personal and civic responsibility. As part of the "Community Colleges Broadening Horizons through Service Learning" grant, AACC convened the chief academic officers (CAOs) from colleges it had funded between 1994 and 2000, as well as new AACC grantees for 2000-2003. Up to 23 CAOs met annually at AACC's Summit on Service Learning Institutionalization to learn more about service learning, discuss ways to sustain service learning, and explore with their colleagues the multiple pressures facing a CAO. These academic leaders also examined how to maximize student learning in the face of competing options and tight budgets. This paper summarizes and analyzes CAO involvement in and commitment to service learning. (Contains 13 resources.)