STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University students participated Thursday in the university’s annual Service-Learning Day. The initiative aligns coursework and fields of study with community-based learning experiences as participants volunteer alongside local partners.
“Service-Learning Day provides an excellent opportunity for faculty, staff and students to participate in the high-impact practice of extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community,” said Dr. Casey Thompson, Center for Educational Excellence Director of Experiential and Community-Engaged Learning. “This is a long-standing tradition that aligns with the university’s core values and mission of inspiring discovery, leadership and service.”
Coordinated by Tarleton State University’s Center for Educational Excellence, Service-Learning Day prioritizes life-enriching activity within the community. Each service project strengthens collaboration and relations between Tarleton State and the larger local, regional and state communities, establishing a mutually beneficial partnership.
“The projects that take place during Service-Learning Day highlight the value of academic service by connecting what we do at the university to real community needs,” said Soncee Heard-Smith, project coordinator within the College of Education. “It’s an intentional opportunity to apply our expertise in ways that support and strengthen the communities we serve.”
This year, designated Service-Learning Day sites included identification and data collection at Bosque River Trail, arranging inventory at Dublin Public Library and supply collection for the Erath County Humane Society. Further projects ranged from enrichment activities with senior and assisted living residents, distributing blankets to children in need and restocking a local food pantry.
For students, Service-Learning Day provides hands-on experience in working alongside their community and exposure to impactful work. Student volunteers enjoy a break from the standard classroom environment and leverage their knowledge toward delivering tangible results.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 21,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For over 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.