Centerfor
Community & Learning Partnerships

Certificates in Community Learning

The Faculty Service Learning Committee reviews portfolios and grants Certificates in Community Learning, a program which is over 3 years old and provides students with the opportunity to obtain academic recognition for service learning and civic engagement. The faculty members and the Center advise students on ways to work toward earning the certificate if they are interested in becoming candidates.

The Certificate in Community Learning is a unique recognition of academic, professional, and civic accomplishments. Students who enroll and successfully complete the program earn a distinction that is prestigious to Wentworth and nationwide. The program supports students who wish to engage in a range of community related projects and programs as part of their academic and professional development while at Wentworth. Through the program, students have access to preferred support and funding mechanisms including faculty advising and project management. Additionally, the program provides participants with networking (student, faculty and community) opportunities in which to pursue community work.

Requirements for the certificate include completion of a service learning component in at least four courses, completion of the Introduction to Community Learning course, a senior capstone project, co-curricular community participation through volunteerism (i.e. Alternative Spring Break, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Service Days) or community based work (i.e. community co-op or Community Work Study), and presentation of a completed portfolio for review by the Faculty Service Learning Committee prior to graduation.

Students enroll in the Certificate for Community Learning program by filling out a registration form that can be turned in to the Center for Community and Learning Partnerships on a rolling basis and participate in Certificate Advising with a faculty mentor each semester. Candidates for the Certificate then develop and submit a portfolio in community learning the semester prior to graduation to the Service Learning Committee for review. All successful portfolios will be published and exhibited by Wentworth. Candidates can use Certificate networking opportunities and preferred status for resources such as student employment and education awards.

In April 2010, the Center organized an orientation in which the Service Learning Committee held a presentation for students on earning a Certificate for Community Learning. The faculty members and Center Community Enterprise Co-op Julianna Chaves provided information to successfully recruit 17 new students.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the Committee awarded certificates to Elizabeth Martel, James Montana, Ally Besharat, Mency Buendicho, Shawn Gratton, Patrick Norwood, and Vincent Rodriguez. Students who earn these certificates are recognized in the graduation programs.