The University of St. Thomas's Service- Learning Program: Matching the University's Catholic Mission to Greater Community Needs

Abstract

The University of St. Thomas (UST) is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Houston, Texas, whose mission includes a commitment to service. The pedagogy of service-learning aligns well with the school’s mission and with the teachings and social doctrine of the Catholic Church. Designed to expand opportunities for the procurement of the Catholic principle of subsidiarity, UST service-learning programs are considered as more than an educational tool. This article illustrates how concrete service-learning ideas help the University fulfill its mission. The virtues of the projects featured in the article, whether assisting elementary school kids to succeed in math or helping the poor help themselves, exemplifi es active student engagement and provides UST opportunities to promote justice, to enhance solidarity, and to defend human dignity.