<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cService learning provides our new students the opportunity to engage with their community in a fulfilling and enriching way,\u201d says Andrew Perera, Director of Student Equity, Leadership, and Community at WSU Spokane. \u201cIt also provides the opportunity to reflect on the nature of service to the community and its importance in the fields of healthcare and health sciences.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n For health sciences students, service learning also offers an opportunity to build connections with peers in different health disciplines. Unlike traditional undergraduate programs, where students might take courses outside their major, health sciences programs tend to be more focused and specialized. ‘Interprofessional’ programs, such as service learning, help promote collaboration across different graduate, professional, and undergraduate areas of study. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was also just generally really nice to have a chance to speak to other people studying different parts of healthcare to have them share their perspective and individuality as well, as shared experiences can help us learn,\u201d said a student in their reflective feedback after the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, some organizations are connected to WSU in different ways, providing students with a chance to see how their research, clinical practice, and community involvement collectively contribute to building healthier communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, Spokane-based non-profit Maddie\u2019s Place is just one of the locations where nine students spent their busy afternoon. The nonprofit operates one of two unique transitional care nurseries that provide care and support for drug-exposed babies and moms. Recently, Maddie\u2019s Place partnered with WSU researchers<\/a> and the Washington Health Care Authority to study the program\u2019s health outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Students had the chance to tour Maddie\u2019s Place, learn about the program, and thoroughly clean the facility\u2019s kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At WSU Spokane, orientation is just the start of students’ service-learning journey. Moving forward, the campus\u2019s Division of Student Affairs is launching a \u201cco-curricular transcript,\u201d which will let students track activities and competencies outside of their usual coursework. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis service-learning opportunity during orientation introduces our students to the structure and purpose of co-curricular activity and launches them into service,\u201d noted Perera. \u201cBuilding this mindset into their professional development early intrinsically supports them in becoming more effective healthcare providers in the future.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n![\"Students](\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-spokane\/uploads\/sites\/456\/2025\/09\/RMH.WSU-playground-scaled.jpg\")
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