Service-Learning at Duke University

“For me, the work I do as a cemetery citizen gives me my most important communities.’ – Adam Rosenblatt

Prof Adam Rosenblatt’s service-learning course Death, Burial, and Justice in the Americas (ICS 283S) connects students with Friends of Geer Cemetery to reclaim neglected gravesites and honor the lives of those buried there.

Reflecting on this work, he shares: ‘Cemetery workdays bring together the most intergenerational and in*******al groups of people. They are moments of care, reflection, and connection that bridge divides and create community.’

His new book, “Cemetery Citizens: Reclaiming the Past and Working for Justice in American Burial Grounds,” explores the powerful connections between citizenship, ancestry, and justice in burial grounds.

Read the story: https://trinity.duke.edu/news/cemetery-citizens-and-practice-care

Congrats to Friends of Geer Cemetery on this incredible honor of being added to the National Register of Historic Places! 🏆 This recognition reflects the dedication of volunteers and supporters working tirelessly to preserve and care for this sacred space.

We’re honored to collaborate with Friends of Geer Cemetery as part of Adam Rosenblatt’s service-learning course (Death, Burial, and Justice in the Americas - ICS 283S) where students support their mission to uncover histories and reclaim gravesites.

If you’re inspired by their work, consider making a donation to fund their efforts—every contribution helps! ❤️

Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FPQ94BC32G8P8

This past October, Friends of Geer Cemetery was honored to receive recognition on the National Register of Historic Places! This would not have been possible without the dedication of our many volunteers and supporters. Financial contributions from donors allowed us to buy tools and equipment to care for the landscape, conduct workshops on monument care, remove two dead/dangerous trees from the cemetery grounds, plus so much more! If you would like to continue to fund our efforts to care for this sacred space, please use the PayPal link below to make your one time or recurring donation. Thank you!
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FPQ94BC32G8P8

Service-learning has taken Dhruv Rungta (Duke ’26) beyond photography and beyond campus.

Without a car, service-learning courses became a gateway to exploring Durham and nearby towns, offering a deeper appreciation of the community around him.

“It’s a reminder of how stepping outside the campus bubble can deepen your understanding of the place you live,” he reflects.

As a Service-Learning Assistant (SLA), Dhruv helps students hone their photography skills while fostering meaningful connections with the local community. Through documentary photography, he’s discovered the power of storytelling to bridge divides and create understanding—it’s about more than the shot; it’s about the story and the people behind it.

📸 Read more about Dhruv's experience here: http://bit.ly/3OrYnd1

🎉 Save the Date! On 12/9, Pratt's Design Expo will showcase innovative projects from student teams in the service-learning course EGR 101L: Engineering Design and Communication and other engineering courses.

Stop by the Trent Semans Center Great Hall to see posters and prototypes addressing real-world community needs.

There are three session times, so you can catch one, two, or all three!

📍 Suggested Parking: Bryan Research Center

🍪 Light refreshments provided

For questions, reach out to Rebecca Krylow, Program Coordinator for First-Year Design, at [email protected].

As part of Duke Service-Learning’s Community Action Project addressing food insecurity, Duke students, faculty, and staff partnered with Emanuel Food Pantry to bag 2,000 pounds of beans and rice for local families. Emanuel Food Pantry is committed to providing fresh, nutritious food while fostering dignity and improving health outcomes in our community. A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners and volunteers for coming together to make a meaningful impact. Interested in joining the effort? Sign up to volunteer here! https://www.emanuelfoodpantry.org/volunteer.html

Students from "Design Climate I: Discover (ENVIRON 545)" partner with local experts and community leaders to tackle real climate challenges. From collaborating with coastal residents on erosion solutions to developing sustainable innovations with Triangle entrepreneurs, this service-learning course bridges academic research and community needs.

Five student teams recently showcased their community-informed climate solutions at , demonstrating how academic-community partnerships can drive meaningful change. Learn more: https://www.wral.com/story/duke-university-students-showcase-climate-solutions-at-energy-week-event/21722662/

Duke University students showcase climate solutions at Energy Week event Duke University's Energy Week innovation showcase brought together students, faculty, and industry leaders to explore climate tech solutions.

🚨 Reminder: Our drop-in hour to help you develop a strong SLCE course synopsis is happening this Thursday, November 21, from 4-5 PM on Zoom! Pop in with your ideas, and we’ll provide tips to make your course shine. Get your zoom link here:

https://servicelearning.duke.edu/events/need-help-showcasing-your-slce-course-join-our-drop-hour

Students in Engineering Design (EGR 101), led by Professor Michael Rizk, took their skills beyond the classroom to design and install an enrichment playground for otters at the North Carolina Zoo !

"I think it's now pretty clear that for engineers to actually do meaningful work and solve meaningful problems, they need to be more than just technically gifted, technically skilled. They have to be able to interact with people. They have to understand the world around them."

Read more about how Michael Rizk's service-learning course combines real-world problem-solving with community impact.

https://servicelearning.duke.edu/news/his-own-words-michael-rizk-engineering-education-and-community-impact

In His Own Words: Michael Rizk on Engineering Education and Community Impact What happens when STEM meets community? Magic, it turns out. In Fall 2024, Duke Service-Learning's event series, "STEM + Community Engagement: Pedagogy and Practice," brought together faculty who are reimagining how we teach and learn STEM.

Students from the service-learning course “Engineering Equity (EGR190, EDUC290S)” noticed traditional STEM resources lacked authentic representation for their elementary participants. Their solution? AI-generated images that reflect the diversity and experiences of young girls, helping them see themselves in STEM.

Professors Whitney McCoy and Shaundra Daily are building inclusive “counterspaces” where all students feel they belong in STEM fields. 💙

Want to be part of this approach? Drop/Add begins on 11/12/24, so there’s still time to add Engineering Equity to your shopping cart!

🔗 Read the full story and learn more: Link in Bio

📢 Calling all SLCE Faculty! Join us for a drop-in consultation hour on November 21, 4-5 PM via Zoom. We’ll help you craft a standout course synopsis for DukeHub, showcasing your community-engaged learning components. Perfect for attracting students to your SLCE courses! Learn more here:

https://servicelearning.duke.edu/events/need-help-showcasing-your-slce-course-join-our-drop-hour

Faculty, want to attract more students to your SLCE course? Join our drop-in hour on Thursday, November 21, 4-5 PM on Zoom!

We’ll help you craft an engaging course synopsis that highlights community engagement and draws in students.

Come with questions or a draft, and we’ll provide tips to make it shine! ✨

📅 Date: November 21
⏰ Time: 4-5 PM
🔗 Link in Bio

🌾 Make a Difference: Fight Food Insecurity with Us! 🌾

Join us on November 14th as we bag rice and beans for families in need at the Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel food pantry.

📅 Pick Your Shift:
🕟 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
🕠 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
💙 Let’s come together, volunteer, and support our local community!
👉 RSVP today and reserve your shift: https://servicelearning.duke.edu/events/community-action-project-fighting-food-insecurity

🤩📚🎉 Swipe through to see Service-Learning and Community-Engaged courses you can register for TODAY 🎉📚🤩

Click the link in our bio to learn more

Together, we can make a difference for families in need. 🌾 RSVP now to volunteer on 11/14!

Learn more and RSVP here: https://servicelearning.duke.edu/events/community-action-project-fighting-food-insecurity

Mark your calendars! Join us on 11/14 to fight food insecurity with the Emanuel Food Pantry. 💪 RSVP today to reserve your spot!

Learn more and RSVP here: https://servicelearning.duke.edu/events/community-action-project-fighting-food-insecurity

Friday, Nov. 8, 12 - 1:15 p.m.: Dialogue Amidst Differences: Politically Charged Issues at Home and Abroad

Location: Keohane Atrium, Keohane Quad House 4E

Speakers: Deondra Rose, Ph.D., Kevin D. Gorter Associate Professor of Public Policy and Bruce Jentleson, Ph.D., William Preston Few Distinguished Professor of Public Policy

Controversial and complicated issues unfolding at home and around the world impact how willing students and faculty are to engage with one another on these topics. Join Deondra Rose and Bruce Jentleson as they share classroom strategies for promoting dialogue among students across global and local issues. This session will also involve time for discussion and conversation for participants to share strategies from their own classroom experience. Lunch is provided.

Sanford School of Public Policy

Register here:

duke.qualtrics.com