Service Placements
We divide our service placements into the areas listed below. All of these placements can be linked to a specific academic course, or they can be done independently. All of them, however, are only open to students wanting to make a semester- or year-long commitment to a specific community agency.
View the most up-to-date online directory of service opportunities
Aging and Health Services
This is a great opportunity to work with the elderly. Help out in local retirement homes and community centers. Interact one-on-one with older adults or assist with group activites.
Katie Zumbo - zumbokm@dukes.jmu.edu
Community Wellness and Environmental
The Wellness and Environment area deals with agencies whose mission is to either preserve the environment or provide more personalized physical and mental health help through hands on activities and by educating the community.
Walt Ghant - ghantwa@jmu.edu
Disability Services
Opportunities to work with mentally and physically handicapped children and adults in residential, learning, occupational, and recreational activities.
Lauren Pesta - pestalr@dukes.jmu.edu
Early and Elementary Education
The service area of Elementary Education is focused on enlightening the lives of students in grades Kindergarten to Fifth grade. Service learners will have the opportunity to work with the students in various schools in the area by serving as a teacher's assistant or as a tutor during the school day. By volunteering at the schools, the service learner will gain a reward of self-gratification by knowing that they have positively impacted the life of a small child.
Chelsea Bruno - brunocl@dukes.jmu.edu
Environmental Stewardship
The Environmental Stewardship Service Area aims to promote student responsibility for environmental quality, care and protection. This area seeks to (1) educate students in the best use of both finite and reusable energy resources to cause the least harm to our environment; (2) encourage the utilization of green technology and practices; and (3) foster the desire to aid in the restoration of a healthier environment.
Eleanor Sarkodie - sarkodep@dukes.jmu.edu
Exceptional Education
This provides service learners with the opportunity to work with children in early education, special education and severely profoundly disabled classrooms. In each of the agencies, students are encouraged to take initiative and become active members of the classroom where they are service-learning.
Hannah White - white2hm@dukes.jmu.edu
Hunger and Housing
Opportunities providing homeless shelter, thrift store, and food bank support. Direct and indirect contact with homeless and low income persons/families, with the goal of helping them obtain basic needs.
Julia Fiorio - fioriojj@dukes.jmu.edu
Youth Education and Services
The area of Youth Education and Services provides an excellent opportunity for students to interact with various communities within the area. Agency listings included working with Big Brothers and Sisters, Blue Ridge Legal Services and many others. Opportunities for tutoring as well as working with adult communities are also available.
Krysten Yee - yeekn@dukes.jmu.edu