Commission on Higher Education Service Learning Awards

  In 2001, the Commission on Higher Education undertook an initiative to publicize on a statewide scale the service learning and volunteerism efforts of the public colleges and universities in South Carolina. To this end, the Commission began holding an annual competition on service learning among the public and private institutions in the state with the stated outcome of recognizing in a public fashion those projects that best represent the integration of student learning with community service.

For purposes of the competition, the Commission defined service learning as college student learning at any level and in any situation that is linked in a direct, hands-on fashion to the resolution of a problem or concern in a target community outside the institution. Each year, the staff convenes a Service Learning Award Selection Panel to evaluate programs submitted for consideration. The panel chooses winners in three categories: public four-year institutions, public two-year institutions, and independent institutions. The winners in each category receive a recognition plaque presented to them during a Commission meeting.

2007 Service Learning Awards Winners with Commission Chairman (from left to right) Dr. Summer Smith Taylor, Clemson University; Dr. Joe McDonald, Newberry College; Dr. Layton McCurdy, Commission Chairman; and Dr. Mary Ann Kohli, Trident Technical College

If you are interested in nominating a project for an award for the 2008-2009 academic year, please complete the nomination form and return it by January 23, 2009 to:
  Ms. Trena Houp
SC Commission on Higher Education
1333 Main Street, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201-3245
803-737-4853
803-737-2297 (fax)
thoup@che.sc.gov		  

A list of all Service Learning Award winners is also available for review.