[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E778-E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM AT TVI

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
10th anniversary of the Service Learning Program at TVI Community 
College in my home state of New Mexico. Service Learning is a 
collaboration of academic instruction, civic engagement and work 
experience that complements traditional college curriculum. Classroom 
learning is supplemented with relevant community service followed by 
self-assessment through group reflection. The concept of Service 
Learning is not new; the innovation is in promoting it as an essential 
part of the higher learning experience.
  Dr. Rudy Garcia started the TVI Service Learning program in 1995 with 
30 local non-profit agencies and 45 students. Ten years later, over 
8,000 students have participated in nearly 42,000 hours of education-
based community service. Funded by grants, this initiative has achieved 
program sustainability by building agency partnerships to deliver 
unique and relevant learning experiences for students while meeting 
community needs. The TVI Service Learning program fosters an ethic of 
civic engagement, best illustrated by the 35% of students who stay on 
as agency volunteers after completing the required hours for their 
program.
  Service Learning at TVI is more than just volunteerism; students 
translate what they have learned in the classroom into hands-on 
experiences that develop skills for future employment. The non-profit 
community agencies are mentors to the Service Learners and partners to 
the educators who strive to increase academic success and student 
retention. Local employers also benefit, as Service Learning helps 
build a stronger, more experienced labor pool; a college degree 
combined with related work experience is the key to success in today's 
job market.
  Dr. Garcia's Service Learning program has won numerous awards, 
including the Community Engagement Collaboration Award and the National 
Bellwether Award for Best Community College Instruction Program. The 
Campus Compact has designated TVI a Training College for institutions 
interested in Service Learning, Civic Responsibility and Community 
Partnerships. TVI and Dr. Garcia were also selected by the Pew 
Partnership for Civic Change to provide their Leadership Training 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, I have had many Service Learners in my district offices, 
and as a public servant I welcome every opportunity to mentor these 
students in community service and civic responsibility. I endeavor to 
provide relevant work experience, while recognizing the tremendous 
contribution of our Service Learning

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students as they apply these leadership principles and become peer 
mentors and role models in our community.

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