IUPUC Assistant Professors Larita Killian, Ed.D., CPA and Katherine Wills, Ph.D., recently presented at the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement Annual Conference in Indianapolis.

The presentation of their paper titled “Leverage the Local: Assessing Economic Benefits of Service-Learning” reminded participants that service-learning has economic impacts that should be included among its many benefits. They demonstrated two techniques for assessing the economic impact of IUPUC’s Alternative Spring Break service-learning project. In March, 2010, 16 IUPUC students partnered with Housing Partnerships Inc., working 8-hour days to renovate a Union Street home in Columbus that will be rented to low-income families. The IUPUC project was a collaborative effort between two service learning classes: a Business class studying non-profit organizations and a Liberal Arts class studying writing services for non-profits. 

The International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) is an international, non-profit organization devoted to promoting research and discussion about service-learning and community engagement. With attendees from thirteen countries, the 2010 conference highlighted ways to measure the impact of service-learning activities. Many researchers focus on how service-learning impacts student development and persistence, and how it benefits nonprofit agencies and their clients. 

Killian is an Assistant Professor of Accounting in the IUPUC Division of Business. Wills is an Assistant Professor of English in the IUPUC Division of Liberal Arts.