Service Learning
Faith Guides. Compassion Inspires.
At Assumption, Service Learning is a formative, faith-filled experience that invites students to live out their faith through action. Rooted in the Mercy charism of Catherine McAuley and Catholic Social Teaching, Service Learning is not simply about completing hours, it is about formation, reflection, leadership, justice, and advocacy.
Our program is intentionally designed as a four-year journey that grows with our students, helping them understand their gifts, recognize the dignity of every person, and respond to the needs of the world with compassion and courage.
Our Philosophy
Service Learning at Assumption connects:
- Faith & Action – answering Christ’s call to serve “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40)
- Encounter & Reflection – learning through meaningful experience and guided reflection
- Service & Justice – moving from direct service to addressing root causes and systemic change
- Formation & Leadership – developing empathy, communication skills, and moral courage
Students engage in service not as an obligation, but as an expression of who they are becoming: women for whom faith guides, compassion inspires, and excellence empowers.
Our Four-Year Service Learning Experience
Freshman Year: Introduction & Foundations
Freshmen are introduced to Service Learning through structured formation during RTI and Community Time. The focus is building understanding, awareness, and accountability. Students:
- Learn more about Assumption's mission and commitment to service
- Explore the Mercy charism and the life of Catherine McAuley
- Participate in a class-wide service project
- Log and track service hours using MobileServe
- Engage in guided reflection on their service experiences
Upperclasswomen may assist in leading reflections, modeling leadership, and mentorship.
Sophomore Year: ACTS - A Christian Through Service
During sophomore year, students participate in ACTS, a signature Service Learning experience that emphasizes consistent engagement with a community partner. Students:
- Reflect on their gifts and talents through a values inventory
- Apply and prepare for service through research and job readiness
- Serve a specific population through a community agency over several weeks
- Write a letter of introduction to their assigned agency
- Participate in ongoing reflection, goal setting, and discussion
- Conclude with a prayer service tied to discernment and formation
Junior Year: Justice, Catholic Social Teaching, & Critical Concerns
Junior year builds on ACTS by shifting focus toward justice-based service and social awareness. Students:
- Serve a population affected by a justice issue of personal interest
- Complete service hours with verified accountability
- Study Catholic Social Teaching
- Connect service experiences to the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy
- Participate in small-group reflection and dialogue
- Learn from guest speakers and Mercy partners
Senior Year: Advocacy & Culminating Experience
Senior year serves as the culmination of the Service Learning journey, moving students from direct service to advocacy and systemic change. Students:
- Reflect on four years of service experiences
- Identify underlying issues connected to injustice
- Research a justice issue aligned with the Mercy Critical Concerns
- Design and carry out an advocacy action (education, outreach, letter writing, campaigns, etc.)
- Reflect on the impact and effectiveness of their advocacy
Outcomes of an Assumption Service Learner
Through Service Learning, students develop:
- A deep understanding of Catholic faith in action
- Respect for the dignity of all people
- Empathy, leadership, and communication skills
- Critical thinking and social awareness
- Confidence to advocate for justice and systemic change
Graduates leave Assumption prepared not only for college, but for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
Why Service Learning Matters
At Assumption, Service Learning is about formation over hours and impact over obligation. By engaging students in sustained, reflective, and justice-oriented service, we prepare young women to respond faithfully to the needs of their communities and the world.