Guang Jin, Illinois State University and Pranshoo Solanki, Illinois State University
Abstract
A campus-wide student-formed consulting community provides an interdisciplinary co-curriculum service-learning opportunity that connects students from various disciplines across a Midwest university to work on sustainability challenges in the local community. Projects include using waste glass in construction materials, cutting carbon footprint by a lighting retrofit, using a rain garden for stormwater runoff, and beneficial use of dredged materials. The real-world impact truly engages and excites students; taking action and serving the local community gives them a strong sense of connection to that community. Students also gain in their professional skills development, particularly in the areas of taking initiative, collaborating in a teamwork environment, problem solving, and communication/presentation skills. Faculty mentors consider this not only as a great experiential learning and civic engagement opportunity, but also an opportunity to collaborate with faculty in other disciplines, and some have extended service-learning projects to interdisciplinary research and grant opportunities. Challenges and lessons learned are also discussed.
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