Service Learning

Service to others is deeply embedded in Alvernia University’s Franciscan heritage and remains an important part of our educational mission today. Our goal is to develop not just educated citizens, but engaged citizens actively involved in work to better their communities and the larger world.

We work to meet that goal in a variety of ways. As an Alvernia student, you'll have opportunities to get involved in service projects with our community-based partner organizations, which operate food banks, run mentoring programs, improve the environment, promote social justice, and support other important causes.

Alvernia embraces service learning for what it does for others and for what it can do for you as a student. Projects help you draw meaningful connections between classroom learning and the world beyond the campus. And most importantly, service learning will help you understand your role as a responsible citizen in a complex world. Students will receive 15 hours of service upon passing and fulfilling all requirements of the course.
 

Service Learning Courses & Community Partners 

Fall 2022

FALL 2022
Course	Instructor	Community Partner
OT427: Adapting & Grading - High Technology	Dr. Gregory Chown	E-Nable
OT538: Adapting & Grading - High Technology	Dr. Gregory Chown	E-Nable
DPT 700: Physical Therapy Practice in a Global Environment	Dr. Robin Zappin	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize
OT590: Interprofessionalism & Global Health	Dr. Gregory Chown	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize
COM 260: Digital Storytelling	Dr. Ryan Lange	Safe Berks and Hannah’s Hope Ministries
DPT 710: Comprehensive Physical Therapy Practice	Dr. Marcia Thompson	Tower Health, Berks Encore, Bernadine Sisters, Seniors College, Oakbrook Community
DPT 632: Physical Therapy Across the Lifespan (summer)	Dr. Marcia Thompson	Bernadine Sisters, Berks Encore, Berks City Falls Coalition
SPE 110: Overview of Human Exceptionalities	Dr. Lucinda Schaeffer	Unending Promise, Reading Youth Initiative, Shady Hollow Assisted Riding, Best Buddies
OT 423: Occupational Performance IV: Geriatrics	Dr. Judith Schrepfer	Pro-bono clinic with Alvernia Physical Therapy
Com 213-01	Susan Guay	BCTV
342: Social Media Marketing	Danielle Saad	Community Partner is School of Communication Social Media Campaign
Education 403	Dr. Elena Larwick	Muhlenberg School District
Education 404	Dr. Elena Larwick	Muhlenberg School District
Education 414	Dr. Elena Larwick	Muhlenberg School District
Education 436	Dr. Elena Larwick	Muhlenberg School District
Education 440	Dr. Elena Larwick	Muhlenberg School District
PSY 208: Lifespan Development	Dr. Ana Ruiz	Holleran Center for Community & Global Engagement - SRYI, Reading Collegiate Scholars, and Foster Grandparents
The 290-01 (honors special topics)	Dr. Donna Yarri	Humane Society of Berks County
DPT 622: Wellness and Exercise	Dr. Pamela Unger	Reading Housing Authority and Liggett Avenue Pro-Bono clinic
BUS 411-01: Financial Decision Making	Dr. Scott Ballantyne	Immigration Office Evaluation - Productivity, Viability & Market Analysis

Fall 2023

FALL 2023
Course	Instructor	Community Partner
COM 236: Health Communication	Dr. Jodi Radosh	Gift of Life Organ Donation and Fight Like a Warrior
COM 352:  Video Production	Dr. Jodi Radosh	Widoktadwen Native American Culture Center and Alvernia Marketing Department
OT 423: Occupational Performance IV (Geriatric)	Dr. Judith Schrepfer	Alvernia Pro Bono Clinic
OT590: Interprofessionalism & Global Health	Dr. Gregory Chown	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize
DPT 522-01: Foundations of Clinical Practice	Dr. Pamela Unger	Berks Community Health, Liggett Avenue Clinic
DPT 622-01: Clinical Practice III	Dr. Pamela Unger and Dr. Julie Axelrod	Berks Community Health, Liggett Avenue Clinic, Tower Health Parkinson Outreach, and The Villas – Wellness program
DPT 710: Comprehensive PT Practice	Dr. Marcia Thompson	Berks County Residents and Patients from the Mother House
PSY 208-01: Human Development Across the Life Span	Dr. Ana Ruiz	Holleran Center (after-school programs and Foster Grandparent program)
PSY 208-02: Human Development Across the Life Span	Dr. Ana Ruiz	Holleran Center (after-school programs and Foster Grandparent program)
ED 436: Stage III Field Experience	Dr. Lucinda Schaeffer Dr. Chrystine Mitchell	Governor Mifflin, Red Lion Area, Reading, Tulpehocken Little Mates Child Development Center
DPT 700: Physical Therapy Practice in a Global Environment	Dr. Robin Zappin	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize

Spring 2024

SPRING 2024
Course	Instructor	Community Partner
DPT 621: Neuromuscular Physical Therapy Practice III	Dr. Marcia Thompson and Dr. Stephen Vandenberg	Tower Health Rehabilitation: Rock Steady Boxing
SPE 110: Overview of Human Exceptionalities	Dr. Lucinda Schaeffer	Side by Side/ Unending Promise
SPE 245: Individuals Requiring Complex Support	Dr. Andrea Swift	Community Evangelical Church - Night to Shine
HCS 335: Population Health and Epidemiology	Dr. Mary Ann Durant	Community Evangelical Church - Night to Shine
NUR 317: Nursing in Health and Illness III: Behavioral Health and Chronicity	Dr. Heather Keperling and Dr. Cynthia Bickings	Hope Rescue Mission
OT 518-02: Advanced Practice - Integrative Rehabilitation	Dr. Elizabeth Bentz	Berks County Residents, Alvernia Student Body
PSY 208-02: Human Development Across the Life Span	Dr. Ana Ruiz	Holleran Center (Reading Youth Initiative, Reading Collegiate Scholars, Foster Grandparent program)
PSY 208-03: Human Development Across the Life Span	Dr. Ana Ruiz	Holleran Center (Reading Youth Initiative, Reading Collegiate Scholars, Foster Grandparent program)
SW 203: The Process of Aging	Dr. Michael Hassler	Senior Mentors in the Community
COM 240: Public Relations: Creating Compelling Communication Campaigns	Dr. Jodi Radosh	Gift of Life

Fall 2024

FALL 2024
Course	Instructor	Community Partner
COM 251: Broadcasting and Electronic Media	Dr. Jodi Radosh	BCTV, Berks Weekly, Spotlight PA
DPT 632: PT Practice Through the Life Span	Dr. Marcia Thompson	Berks Encore, Bernardine Sisters, AU Seniors College
DPT 700: Physical Therapy Practice in a Global Environment	Dr. Robin Zappin	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize
DPT 710: Comprehensive PT Practice	Dr. Marcia Thompson	Tower Health Rehabilitation and Encompass Health Rehabilitation
DPT 890: Advanced Clinical Decision-Making in Pediatric Physical Therapy	Holly Mays	Tower Health Rehabilitation, Berks and Lebanon County Early Intervention Program
NUR 317: Nursing in Health and Illness III: Behavioral Health and Chronicity	Dr. Heather Keperling	Hope Rescue Mission
OT 423: Occupational Performance IV (Geriatric)	Dr. Judith Schrepfer	Alvernia Pro Bono Clinic
OT590: Interprofessionalism & Global Health	Dr. Amanda Stilianos	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize
PSY 208-01: Human Development Across the Life Span	Dr. Ana Ruiz	Holleran Center (after-school programs)
THE 290/PHI 290: The Ethical Treatment of Animals	Dr. Donna Yarri	Animal Rescue League and the Humane Society of Berks County

Spring 2025

SPRING 2025
Course	Instructor	Community Partner
COM 220-01: Event Planning	Dr. Jodi Radosh	Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine, Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, Student Activities, Wild West event for Gift of Life Organ Donation
COM 240-01: Public Relations	Dr. Jodi Radosh	Gift of Life – Organ Donation Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
DPT 523-01: Clinical Practice I	Dr. Julie Axelrod	Tower Health, Reading Housing Authority, The Villa, Liggett Avenue Pro Bono clinic
SPE 245: Individuals Requiring Complex Support	Dr. Andrea Swift	Community Evangelical Church Night to Shine
NUR 317: Nursing in Health and Illness III: Behavioral Health and Chronicity	Dr. Heather Keperling	Hope Rescue Mission
PSY 208-02: Human Development Across the Life Span	Dr. Ana Ruiz	Holleran Center (Reading Youth Initiative, Reading Collegiate Scholars)
SW 290-1OL: Climate Change and the Helping Professional	Dr. Michael Hassler	Environmental Organizations

Fall 2025

FALL 2025
Course	Instructor	Community Partner
BIO 320-01SL: Ecology	Dr. Jamie Becker	City of Reading Public Works Department
COM 236-01SL: Health Communications	Dr. Jodi Radosh	Gift of Life, Fight Like a Warrior
COM 251-01SL: Broadcasting and Electronic Media	Dr. Jodi Radosh	BCTV, Berks Weekly, and Spotlight PA
DPT 632-01SL: PT Practice Through the Life Span	Dr. Marcia Thompson	Berks Encore, Bernardine Sisters, AU Seniors College
DPT 700-01SL: Physical Therapy Practice in a Global Environment	Dr. Robin Zappin	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize
DPT 710-01SL: Comprehensive PT Practice	Dr. Marcia Thompson	Tower Health Rehabilitation and Encompass Health Rehabilitation
DPT 807SL: Advanced Clinical Decision Making in Pediatric Physical Therapy	Holly Mays	Tower Health Rehabilitation, Berks and Lebanon County Early Intervention Program
NUR 317SL-01: Nursing in Health and Illness III: Behavioral Health and Chronicity	Dr. Heather Keperling	Hope Rescue Mission
OT 423-01SL: Occupational Performance IV (Geriatric)	Dr. Judith Schrepfer	Alvernia Pro Bono Clinic
OT590-01SL: Interprofessionalism & Global Health	Dr. Amanda Stilianos	HelpAge Belize, Inspiration Center, Mercy Clinic, L.I.F.E., YWCA Belize

Spring 2026

SPRING 2026
Course	Instructor	Community Partner
DPT 605: APTA	Dr. Robin Zappin
NUR317SL: Nursing in Health and Illness III: Behavioral Health and Chronicity	Dr. Heather Keperling	Hope Rescue Mission
SW 290: Climate Change and the Helping Professional	Michael Hassler
COM 220: Event Planning and COM 240: Public Relations	Dr. Jodi Radosh
NUR317 Section(s) 01SL; 02SL: Nursing in Health and Illness III: Behavioral Health and Chronicity"	Dr. Heather Keperling	Hope Rescue Mission