Service-Learning at the American Community College

"Service-Learning at the American Community College represents a valuable addition to a growing body of noteworthy second-generation service-learning texts. Traver and Katz avoid the rhetorical and ideological posturing so common in texts that seek to advance a deeply democratic agenda, and the book's most important strength is the coherent and convincing way in which it braids a broad range of contemporary concerns into its analysis of service-learning's educational potential. Changing student demographics, student success and persistence, peer mentoring, social capital and networking, civic engagement and workforce preparation, the growing role of adjunct faculty these and other defining features of contemporary American higher education are all considered in relation to service-learning as an institutional resource. By helping to break down the conceptual silos that impede educational reform, the book does far more than provide a timely resource for America's community colleges; it suggests a strategy for reconsidering the priorities and practices of higher education in general." Edward Zlotkowski, Founding and former Acting Director of the Bentley Service-Learning Center, Bentley University, USA

"Finally, we now have a volume that examines the promise and challenge of incorporating and advancing service-learning in community colleges. Replete with research studies, historical analyses, conceptual frameworks, and recommendations for practice, this long-awaited book provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of service-learning's potential for securing the success of today's diverse community college students. It is a must-read for community college practitioners, educational researchers, and service-learning scholars." - Andrew Furco, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Associate Vice President for Public Engagement, University of Minnesota, USA