Students at UL have been given nearly $20,000 to advocate math and science in local classrooms; bolster low-income homes in the community; and put on a “Sustainable Living Roadshow.” The University of Louisiana System launched the special initiative to place students in their surrounding communities as a means to making them better citizens through service. All of the system’s eight campuses are participating.

Service-learning projects like these offer numerous benefits to students. Participation can even have positive impacts on leadership ability, grades, retention, degree aspirations, critical-thinking skills and commitment to helping others in difficulty. Moreover, the research shows that at least 50 percent of students who engage in service-learning during college will continue volunteering after they graduate.

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By Jeremy Alford