Service-Learning (SL)
Service-Learning Website; Student Showcase: Spring 2023; Fall 2023
Embedded Files
Service Learning Orientation
Service Learning will help you gain real-world experience that transfer universities and employers value while meeting your course objectives and making a difference in the community!
Keep up-to-date on Service-Learning opportunities and events on the Service-Learning Website, ACC Volunteer Hub, ACC GivePulse, and via my Announcements in Blackboard.
To get started and learn more about what service-learning is, ACC requires students in service-learning classes to take our Service-Learning Student Orientation. This orientation describes service-learning and tells you generally what to expect, and it will require you to fill out our ACC Service-Learning Student Agreement Form and Pre-Survey. The orientation will only take around 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
Submit proof that you completed orientation when you submit Journal One by taking screenshots of the completed quiz, agreement form, and survey and attaching those screenshots to Journal One.
Finding Volunteer Opportunities
Click here for on-campus Service-Learning Opportunities
LEARNING GARDENS
Here is the Application to ADOPT-A-GARDEN at CYP, ELG, HLC, and RVS--3+ hour per week commitment
Here is OES' new Learning Gardens website: ACC GARDENS
Here are the Learning Gardens MEMBER GUIDELINES AY27 for your review
RED BENCH DIALOGUE EVENT ON TOPIC OF "INTEGRITY"
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: ACC Rio Grande Campus, BUILDING 3000, RM 3340 Center for Government and Civic Service
ACC's Service-Learning Program, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, School of Humanities and Communications, and Center for Government and Civic Service, in collaboration with Interfaith Action of Central Texas, invites you and your students to the Red Bench Dialogue Event, and on-campus conversation event on the topic of "Integrity." Austin Community College (ACC) employees, students, employers, and the community are invited to attend this free in-person event. Dinner will be provided, and registration is required (opens 1 month in advance).
ORAL HISTORY AND DIGITAL ARCHIVE PROJECT
The ACC Oral History and Digital Archive Project is a collection of interviews and resources to preserve the oral histories and cultural heritage of members of the greater Austin Community. ACC’s Office of Experiential Learning is proud to collaborate on this project with the ACC Office of Institutional Archives and to support faculty-led collections of interviews, written histories, photo journalism, and more. If you'd like to set up a new collection for your Service-Learning class, please let me know at lcox@austincc.edu, and I'll arrange a meeting with our ACC Institutional Archivist, Robert Stewart.
Become a VDR (Volunteer Deputy Registrar)
ACC VOTES!
TO BECOME A VDR IN TRAVIS COUNTY
From this website (https://tax-office.traviscountytx.gov/voters/volunteer-deputy-registrars) register for an online class.
Try this link here if you have issues connecting to the exam.
TO BECOME A VDR IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY
1. From this website (https://www.wilcotx.gov/448/Volunteer-Deputy-Registrar) choose either a live class (online) or a self-paced class.
2. If you are already certified Travis county, follow these instructions for reciprocal certification: https://www.wilcotx.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=414
Once you become a certified VDR, click here to learn about Head Count, where you can register voters at central Texas area events, concerts, and festivals!
ACC Votes Eastview Parade to the Polls (Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex)
Date & Time: Monday, October 26 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Details: Pre-parade rally at 2:00 PM in the Eastview Courtyard (behind Bldg 2000) with snacks from Happy Chix and nonpartisan civic resources. At 3:00 PM, the Northeast ECHS Soul Raiders Drumline and Eastside ECHS "Pride of the Eastside" Marching Band will lead our parade up Thompson Street to the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex (1156 Hargrave St).
ACC Votes Fest at ACC Highland
Date & Time: Thursday, October 29 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Details: Outdoor concert featuring Isis Destiny, Beats of Burden, and Hollow Mouth (ACC student band) + free hot dogs from Zee’s Weiner System on the Highland Upper Paseo (between Bldgs 2000 and 4000). Nonpartisan voting and community resources will be available for all attendees.
Braver Angels Workshops and eCourses (Fully Asychronous)
“Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic. The American Hope campaign is equipping Americans across the political spectrum to work together and demand the same of politicians from both parties.” Click here to learn more about their various workshops and training opportunities. After researching the options, please review their Online Event Calendar. You may add filters on the left navigation menu based on the workshop or course you would like to find. They have evening Zoom workshops as well as online courses.
Zooniverse is another fully online asynchronous option--you find research to help with online, and there are all kinds of choices.
Watch an approved civic engagement documentaries for service learning credit:
Crip Cramp: A Disability Revolution via Netflix
Freedom Summer on Kanopy (via the ACC Library)
Poverty, Inc. via Prime Video
Dracula Book Club
This Fall semester, ACC Libraries are hosting several discussions of Dracula 🧛.
3:00pm on Tuesday, October 27 at the NRG Library
3:00pm on Tuesday, November 3 at the HLC Library
2:00pm on Tuesday , November 10 via Zoom--discussing the graphic novel version!
RSVP and stop by NRG or HLC libraries for your free copy of Dracula!
Contact Besty Young (NRG), Deanna Aguilar (CYP), or Rosalind Clifford (HLC) with questions.
Finding Other Approved Service Learning Opportunities
Please visit the ACC Volunteer Hub and the ACC GivePulse page to find updated information on available opportunities with internal and external partners.
Virtual and Remote Volunteer Opportunities
Please note that church work does not qualify unless you are engaged in specific outreach to the community (food and clothing drives, etc.). Check with me first!
Tracking Volunteer Hours: To make it easier to track and submit hours, go here: HOW TO REPORT VOLUNTEER HOURS (especially helpful if you complete six hours or more of approved service learning credit)
Keep up-to-date on Service-Learning opportunities and events on the Service-Learning Website, ACC Volunteer Hub, ACC GivePulse, and via my Announcements in Blackboard.
Please note: When you volunteer for organizations that are external to ACC, please email me for permission and then document everything or have the program director email me at bvillarr@austincc.edu to obtain credit for your service. '
If you serve six or or more hours (of approved service-learning activities), you will need to provide proof when you submit Journal Three (for exemption).
Please contact Linda Cox at lcox@austincc.edu if you need more guidance in finding a service learning activity that works for you.
Service-Learning Student Showcase
All service-learning students are invited to participate in the showcase (when it's available)! Students will connect with one another and the ACC community, gain career skills in a friendly environment, and allow us to celebrate your work on your service-learning project. Participants will also receive cool swag and a digital participation badge that can be added to your LinkedIn profile. Stay tuned for updates on our Showcase Website!
Click here to view showcase examples from the past few years! Here is one student's outline in the discussion board: Mock Up Poster-1.pdf. Below is the student's Take One (for Paper Four, English 1302) in the Discussion Board.
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