Research

Our research has primarily focused on the experience of students who have participated in service learning or community engaged courses and programs. Recent studies include:

• a quantitative comparison of GE students over time, 
• a qualitative exploration of the experiences of Cyber Spartan mentors,
• a qualitative examination of career development in service learning alumni, and
• a longitudinal investigation of the effects of the SJSU Civic Action Fellowship.

We have also conducted studies related to our community partners and participants in our programs:

• a qualitative study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our community partner agencies and on the capacity for SJSU students to serve and
• a mixed methods examination of the effects of the Cyber Spartans program on the third through sixth grade participants.

In addition to our own research program, we fund and support faculty research. Examples include:

• Dr. Adrianne Widaman researched the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on faculty members teaching service learning courses.
• Dr. Maria Fusaro examined how service learning in Head Start classrooms serving preschoolers from low-income families influenced undergraduates’ attitudes and sense of efficacy towards addressing the academic and social-emotional-behavioral needs of children with disabilities.