Building Bridges with Big Brothers, Big Sisters: Service learning links between professional and civic engagement education at a Predominantly Black Institution
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Authors
Susan L. McFarlane-Alvarez
Shandra McDonald
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Journal Article, Academic Journal
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Abstract
During Spring and Fall semesters of 2017, Clayton State University students of Corporate Communication collaborated with students of Film Production to raise awareness of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. Through this three-way collaboration, students helped to build tactical communication with the objective of increasing interest among potential volunteers for the organization’s mentoring program. The deliverables included three videos that Big Brothers, Big Sisters used in their drive to increase numbers of volunteer mentors in the communities of both the organization and the Clayton State University. This paper examines the importance of community-engaged service learning for a student population of Clayton State University, a Minority-Serving Institution, and specifically a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI). Through a case study examination of Clayton State University’s collaboration with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, as part of Clayton State University’s broader Community Engagement initiative, this research examines the interdisciplinary roots of the initiative, and positions professional and civic education as simultaneously achievable. Ultimately the research positions Clayton State University as both a centrifuge for collaborative experience, and a “hub of community and civic engagement,” at the same time providing invaluable real-world professional education.