Service learning combines technical skill-building with real-world experiences. In Arizona, Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) embeds service learning across its programs, benefiting students and their communities alike.
Compassionate care in action
At West-MEC’s Southwest Campus, the Dental Assisting program has built strong community partnerships since its establishment in 2018. Along with a solid foundation of work-based learning (WBL) experiences, including a highly structured externship, the dental program partners with the City of Buckeye Compassion Clinic to provide dental care services to local residents.
As a result, students have seen the profound difference their work makes. One 17-year-old student reflected on her experience: “I changed somebody’s life!” This hands-on, high stakes work leaves students not only more technically proficient but also deeply aware of the power their skills can have on others.
Takeaways
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- Find partners through community ties. West-MEC finds its partners through local connections and word of mouth. Schools interested in replicating this model should tap into existing community networks.
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- Emphasize skill development and reflection. Build formal reflection opportunities for students to assess what they’ve learned and how they’ve grown. After each event, West-MEC students debrief to discuss their strengths and areas for improvement.
Health screenings with impact
At the Northeast Campus, the Medical Assisting program partners with the Team of Physicians for Students (TOPS) program and other local schools to offer comprehensive health screenings for student athletes. Juniors and seniors conduct physicals, take vital signs, and perform EKGs under the supervision of medical professionals.
The real-world experience students gain — working alongside cardiologists and physician assistants — helps solidify their skills and exposes them to possible career paths. Over the years, many students with undiagnosed heart conditions have been referred to specialists, potentially saving lives.
Takeaways
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- Utilize professional networks. An instructor with prior connections to TOPS introduced this program to West-MEC. Leveraging your staff’s previous professional net- works can be vital in establishing meaningful partnerships.
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- Train for professionalism. Teach students the employability skills necessary for interacting with patients. At West-MEC, students practice how to engage with patients professionally, preparing them for future careers in health care.
Serving animals, supporting rescues
West-MEC’s Northwest Campus is home to a Veterinary Science program that partners with local animal rescues — including Desert Harbor Doberman Rescue and Arf-Anage Dog Rescue — to provide medical care such as spaying, neutering and dental surgery. In addition, students organize and run low-cost vaccine clinics for the community.
The annual vaccine clinic treats over 100 animals in just four hours! Students practice essential veterinary skills while making pet ownership more accessible. The impact on both local animal rescues and local pet owners is clear, as shelter pets are adopted each semester, and local pets receive necessary medical care.
Takeaways
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- Collaborate with industry partners. Build relationships with reputable rescues and shelters that are willing to partner on student-driven service projects. This can enrich the learning process and provide real benefits to the community.
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- Scale the services. West-MEC’s annual vaccine clinic is a high-impact event, but recurring service days that operate on a smaller scale could be equally effective. Schools looking to replicate this model could consider monthly or bimonthly clinics that cater to local rescue animals.
West-MEC’s approach to service learning shows how CTE programs can effectively combine technical skill-building with community service. By forming strong partnerships, offering real-world experiences, and emphasizing student reflection, West-MEC has created a replicable model that benefits both students and their communities. Schools looking to implement similar programs can start small, with a single event or partner, and gradually build their own unique service learning opportunities that make an impact.
Susan Leon, M.Ed., has dedicated 17 years to advancing career and technical education. As the work-based learning specialist at West-MEC in Phoenix, Arizona, she collaborates with educators and industry leaders to connect classroom learning with real-world experience.
