Notre Dame of Maryland University first-year students are beginning their time at college by serving those in their local community. During the students first semester at Notre Dame, students take an orientation course, NDMU 100, where they “learn about and enter into active service learning.” The program is part of the university goal of having students “recognize and help meet the needs of external communities but also offer a mutually transformative experience.”
Recently, the University partnered with Govans Elementary of Baltimore City Schools to offer third, fourth and fifth graders basic tools to begin the school year. The university collected funds to stuff backpacks with basic supplies such as pencils, crayons, rulers, notebooks, personalized flash cards and hand written notes wishing the Govans’ students well. This program demonstrates the university’s commitment to service and offers a “valuable interaction with diverse groups that provide rich learning opportunities when coupled with guided reflection, class discussion, and skilled analysis relating to course content.”
To read more, visit Notre Dame University Maryland news.