Community Partner Profile: International Partnership for Service Learning and Leadership

The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership (IPSL) is a not-for-profit educational organization serving students, colleges, universities, service agencies, and related organizations around the world by fostering programs that link volunteer service to the community and academic study.

Today, IPSL offers 9 undergraduate service-learning programs in 7 nations—programs in which nearly 3,000 students from more than 400 universities or colleges in the U.S. and 25 other nations have participated.

Additionally, beginning in 2009/10, the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Focus in International Service-Learning & Leadership (MAIS) program will be offered with a revised curriculum through Portland State University.

Resulting in a recent relocation to Portland, Oregon, IPSL’s relationship with PSU and the Pacific Northwest is based on sharing “similar service-learning missions… as a way to develop shared programming, research, and student services."

“Portland State University has distinguished itself as a leader in the field of service-learning and has been recognized nationally for implementing a campus-wide engagement strategy that involves students and faculty in service-learning activities. We are thrilled to announce this new partnership,” IPSL Board of Trustees Chair, Margaret Pusch, stated in Spring 2008.

The MAIS program integrates rigorous academic study with substantive volunteer service in two nations, giving students opportunities to test theoretical knowledge through hands-on, practical experience in different cultures.

IPSL furthers service-learning and fosters communities that are civically engaged, inter-culturally literate, internationally aware, and responsive to the needs of others by:

- Sponsoring international conferences;

- Conducting research on the effect of service-learning on students, educational institutions and communities;

- Offering consulting and technical assistance in all aspects of creating and maintaining service-learning programs;

- Publishing curricular and other materials related to service-learning;

- Conducting workshops & training seminars for faculty members and administrators; offers international networking and learning opportunities through membership in IPSL;

- Helping to develop partnerships between colleges/universities and service agencies, both locally and internationally.