For Students

SUNY Old Westbury's signature program CALL offers students opportunities for community and civic engagement.

Benefits 

Community engagement, service learning, also known as experimental learning, or community-based learning combines learning objectives with meaningful community service. It is a way of teaching and learning in which students use knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs. The focus is hands-on education, learning by doing, impactful learning experience, understanding civic responsibility and strengthening communities.

Students will develop the leadership skills, political awareness, and civic literacy by:

  • Improving problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills;
  • Critically analyzing the root causes of local challenges;
  • Exploring alternative solutions to those challenges;
  • Confronting political and ideological barriers to change;
  • Weighing the merits of legislative or other political strategies;
  • Collaborating with community members and observing and understanding the internal operation of organizations and non-profit.

 CALL Expectations

  • Learn to actively listen to one another;
  • Deliberate critically about problems and issues;
  • Arrive at solutions mutually and;
  • Work together to implement solutions.

Students will gain important skills for the increasingly team-oriented 21st century workplace while upholding the following expectations:

  • Be prompt, respectful, and positive at the community placement;
  • Fulfill agreed-upon duties and responsibilities;
  • Provide feedback on the experience's relevance to course material;
  • Engage in course discussions and learn about diverse cultures and lifestyles;
  • Practice effective and professional communication skills;
  • Respect confidentiality and participate in evaluations.

Furthermore, CALL connects students to paid off-campus community service fellowships, encouraging deeper involvement and fostering leadership in community-based initiatives while empowering student to take on impactful leadership roles.

 

Apply to be a CALL Fellow!