Service learning, at its core, is a teaching and learning strategy that connects what you learn in the classroom to problems in our community. At Oklahoma City University, you will get the opportunity to apply what you are learning in the classroom while making a difference for our community. Service learning will show you that what you learn in the classroom has the potential to have an impact on the world and community around us.
Since 2004, service learning has been a requirement of the OCU general education curriculum. You will complete at least one service learning course before graduation. If you complete four or more service learning courses, you will receive special recognition at your Commencement ceremony.
Vivian Wimberly Service Learning Endowment
The Vivian Wimberly Service-Learning Endowment was created to encourage and support faculty who teach courses that allow students to apply their classroom learning to real-world experience. Beginning with the fall 2021 semester, service-learning faculty have the opportunity to receive a stipend through the Vivian Wimberly Endowment. Awards will be offered for new courses and repeat courses that include an updated component.
Vivian Wimberly Service-Learning Endowment stipends will be awarded through an application process. Application instructions can be found here. Applications for spring semester classes are due the third Tuesday in September. Applications for fall semester classes are due the third Tuesday in February. 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, is the application deadline for Spring 2024 classes.
Contact Lesley Black at [email protected] if you have any questions about the application process.
Fall 2023 Awardees
Sabina Amanbayeva - Beginning Russian I
Janice Carr - Community Health
Emma Winters-Defani - Art Service Learning Screenprinting
Spring 2023 Awardees
Mark Griffin – Intermediate Spanish II
Diana Haslett – Corporate Video
Leslie Long – Bible and Culture
Lisa Wolfe – Bible and Culture / Honors Bible & Culture
Fall 2022 Awardees
Janice Carr - Community Health Nursing
Emma Winters-Difani - Community Art Education w/the Children's Center
Spring 2022 Awardees
Lynette Martin - Business Communications & Technical Writing
Pam Melson - Community Nursing
Dr. Natalia Starostina - World History Since 1500
Emma Winters-Difani - Fresh StART Print Making
Fall 2021 Awardees
Christa Bentley - Music Seminar: American Music in the Civil Rights Era
Beth Landon - Directed Study in Biology: Blue Thumb
Julie Russell, Kay Sandel, and Erin Bond - Lab for Dance Teachers I
Emma Winters-Difani - Fresh StART Screenprinting