Springfield College Community Service Programs
Community service is not just an extracurricular activity at the College. It is integrated into the curriculum through internships at schools and nonprofit agencies and put into action through campus-wide initiatives, such as
Humanics in Action Day and service-oriented clubs.
Browse Programs
For more information about our community service programs please choose one of the page links below.
Category 1:
Promoting Community and Economic Development
| Program: |
Neighborhood Property Acquisition Loan Fund |
| Description: |
Springfield College has provided financial security for a $1.5 million property acquisition loan fund, which allows The Neighborhood Collaborative LLC to borrow money at below market rates to acquire property for building or rehabilitating housing in the Old Hill neighborhood. The collaborative is planning to acquire property in the neighborhoods surrounding the college for 100 homes during the next five years. The affordable homes will be for owner-occupants. |
| Contact: |
John Mailhot, Vice President for Finance and Administration, (413) 748-3145 |
| Program: |
Partnership for the Renewal of Old Hill (PROHill) |
| Description: |
Founded in 2003, PROHill is a partnership among Springfield College, the City of Springfield, and the Old Hill Neighborhood Council. It is dedicated to transforming one of Springfield’s more deteriorated neighborhoods into a model of infrastructure, safety, owner-occupied housing, educational resources, and recreational space. The college played a leading role in obtaining input from more than 350 individuals,
organizations, businesses, churches, and city departments in the planning process.
For Springfield College’s leadership in PROHill, HAP, Inc., the region’s housing partnership, honored the college with its 2005 Award for Leadership and Achievement. |
| Contact: |
Brendan Neal, Director of Community Relations, (413) 748-3818 |
|
Category 2:
Stimulating Debate about Current Issues
| Program: |
The Greene Lecture |
| Description: |
This scholarly event, open to the public free of charge, annually brings experts in physical therapy to the campus to discuss timely topics in the field. It is open to the community at large and is of particular benefit to students and professionals in physical therapy and other health care professions. The Greene Lectureship was endowed in memory of Jean Greene by her husband Edwin Greene, a 1935 Springfield College graduate. |
| Contact: |
Julia Chevan, Chair, Physical Therapy Department, (413) 748-3569 |
| Program: |
The Karpovich Lecture |
| Description: |
This scholarly event, open to the public free of charge, annually brings top experts in exercise physiology and sport science to Springfield College for the benefit of students, professionals in this field, and the community at large. Springfield College established the Karpovich Lecture in 1973 in memory of its former faculty member Peter V. Karpovich, who was an internationally recognized exercise physiologist and one of the principal founders of the American College of Sports Medicine. |
| Contact: |
Charles Redmond, Dean, School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, (413) 748-3385 |
| Program: |
The Britton C. and Lucille McCabe Lecture |
| Description: |
This scholarly event annually brings noted professionals in the health, biological, and physical sciences to Springfield College to discuss timely topics and discoveries in their fields. Open to the public free of charge, it has served students, professionals in health and science, and the community at large since 1997. |
| Contact: |
Mary Healey, Springfield College Dean, School of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies, (413) 748-3713 |
| Program: |
The Weckwerth Lecture |
| Description: |
This scholarly event annually brings leading experts in sport management and recreation to Springfield College. Lecturers address emerging trends in these fields, as Americans have increasingly more time and options for leisure. Open to the public free of charge, it serves students, professionals in these fields, and the community at large. The event is named in honor of Charles F. Weckwerth, distinguished Springfield College professor of humanics emeritus. |
| Contact: |
Matthew Pantera, Springfield College Professor of Sport Management and Recreation, (413) 748-3749 |
|
Category 3:
Enhancing the Quality of Life in the Region
| Program: |
Camp Massasoit |
| Description: |
Camp Massasoit is an experiential day and adventure camp for children 5 to 15 years of age who are interested in exploring the outdoors. The Day Camp consists of a variety of activities, including a challenge course, archery, swimming, Project Wild, and boating. The Walk-A-Bout Camp, for ages 11 to 13, provides a transition from day camp to adventure camp and includes a one-night overnight camping trip, lifetime wellness activities, and educational field trips. The Adventure Camp offers programs for ages 13 to 15 and provides opportunities for campers to learn challenging outdoor skills. |
| Contact: |
Ben Taylor, Director, East Campus and Outdoor Programs, (413) 750-5011 |
| Program: |
Community Thanksgiving Dinner |
| Description: |
Springfield College and the Massachusetts Career Development Institute (MCDI) have served a community holiday dinner free of charge in November since 1999. Aramark, the college’s food service, MCDI staff, and about 85 volunteers from the college and the community work together on the event, attended annually by about 650 Springfield residents. |
| Contact: |
Charlene Elvers, Director of Student Volunteer Programs, (413) 748-3219 |
| Program: |
Community Service Internships/Student Teachers |
| Description: |
The region’s not-for-profit organizations, health-care providers, city agencies, and businesses gain the services of Springfield College students serving internships under the guidance of experienced faculty members. The college’s student teachers augment the teaching staffs of area schools. Annually, about 700 students of education, health sciences, rehabilitation, recreation, social work, human services, humanities, physical sciences, and other subjects each serve an average of 300 hours. Educator preparation placement is coordinated by Linda Davis-Delano as noted below. Other placements are coordinated by individual academic departments. |
| Contact: |
Linda Davis-Delano, Director of Educator Preparation Programs, (413) 748-3146 |
| Program: |
Fit Fest |
| Description: |
To foster public health and wellness, Springfield College students and faculty members in various health and education studies and campus clubs present a day of free exhibits and activities. The program varies annually, but usually includes screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and other factors, and also hearing and vision tests. Among other subjects addressed are nutrition, self-examination for various health conditions, physical fitness, introduction to various sports, and more. |
| Contact: |
Christine St. Laurent, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, (413) 748-3421 |
| Program: |
Girls & Women in Sports Day |
| Description: |
Each year in February, Springfield College coaches, student athletes and members of East Campus conduct clinics for approximately 150 girls in grades three through eight in sports including softball, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, lacrosse, gymnastics, tennis, yoga, football, and rock climbing. |
| Contact: |
Kelly Hart, Associate Director of Athletics, (413) 748-3334 |
| Program: |
Habitat for Humanity, Springfield College Chapter |
| Description: |
Springfield College staff members and students have taken the lead in building homes on Tyler and Cambridge streets in Springfield, and have worked with other Habitat volunteers in Greater Springfield on additional home building projects. They also have worked on such fundraising projects for the local Habitat chapter as Fall Feastival and the Holiday Gift Wrap at Eastfield Mall. |
| Contact: |
Barbara Kautz, Career Center Director, (413) 748-3224 |
| Program: |
Hoophall Classic |
| Description: |
As a result of Springfield College’s longstanding relationship with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the college co-hosts the Hoophall Classic, a nationally televised event that attracts more than 10,000 visitors to Greater Springfield. Local, regional, and national high school men’s and women’s basketball teams compete, including a number of the nation’s best teams. Springfield College student volunteers also support the activities and programs of the Basketball Hall of Fame. |
| Contact: |
Brendan Neal, Director of Community Relations, (413) 748-3818 |
| Program: |
Humanics in Action Day |
| Description: |
Each September, Springfield College cancels classes and operates offices on reduced staffing for a full day so that 2,000 students and members of the faculty and staff may perform about 100 community projects. College work groups serve schools, shelters, churches, senior citizens’ facilities, city agencies, community organizations, and individual neighbors. They work on educational programs, indoor and outdoor cleaning and repairs, playground improvement, school landscaping, graffiti removal, and more. |
| Contact: |
Charlene Elvers, Director of Student Volunteer Programs, (413) 748-3219 |
| Program: |
Learning in Later Life |
| Description: |
Springfield College faculty and experts in the Springfield community lead informative, interesting, and life-enhancing programs for adults aged 55 and older. Courses focus on current affairs, culture and arts, history and science, and other topics, presented through classes, trips, and social events. Membership fees in the Learning in Later Life program include enrollment in all courses; access to the college’s Babson Library resources; use of the college’s natatorium, Physical Education Complex, and outdoor athletic facilities; and admission to competitive athletic events, the William Simpson Fine Arts Series events, and other campus events at no charge or at reduced rates. |
| Contact: |
Katherine Smith, Director of Conferences and Special Events, (413) 748-5287 |
| Program: |
Reeds Landing/Springfield College Partnership |
| Description: |
Springfield College faculty members and students of art therapy, social work, human services, and education conduct programs for residents at this retirement community. In addition, physician assistant students conduct physical examinations, occupational therapy students help residents in assisted living, and physical education students give presentations on safety and injury prevention. College administrators serve on the Reeds Landing board and administrative committees. |
| Contact: |
William Susman, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Studies, (413) 748-3820 |
| Program: |
Research with Chronic Kidney Disease Patients |
| Description: |
Springfield College exercise physiology faculty assess exercise and nutrition needs of patients with kidney disease and provide information on lifestyle changes. This project is conducted in collaboration with Western New England Renal Transplant Associates and is supported in part by Baystate Health Systems. |
| Contact: |
Samuel Headley, Professor of Physical Education, (413) 748-3340 |
| Program: |
Services for the Blind at Springfield College |
| Description: |
Springfield College faculty members and students of recreation for persons with disabilities provide year-round socialization, recreation, and sports activities for area children who are legally blind. Activities are designed to increase physical fitness and to help seeing-impaired youth assimilate in their community with nondisabled persons. This project is supported in part with funding from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. |
| Contact: |
Carl Fetteroll, Director, United States Sports & Wellness Center at Springfield College, (413) 748-3709 |
| Program: |
Springfield Area Diving |
| Description: |
AAU Club Program providing lessons and competitive training in springboard diving. Open to people of all age groups from the surrounding communities of greater Springfield as well as Connecticut and Eastern Massachusetts. In addition to developing diving talent, the mission is to support, promote and enhance the sport of diving in the local community, with a heavy emphasis on area high schools. |
| Contact: |
Peter Avdoulos, Head Diving Coach, (413) 748-3445 |
| Program: |
Springfield College AmeriCorps Program |
| Description: |
Established in 1997, this program combines undergraduate and graduate student education with meeting community needs. Up to 125 participating students serve as academic coaches for school children and as counselors and health case managers for community agencies. In addition, they increase the capacity of local service organizations by recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, and conduct leadership development activities for children. This program is supported in part by the Massachusetts Service Alliance, Campus Compact, and the City of Springfield. |
| Contact: |
Shannon Langone, Program Director of AmeriCorps, (413) 748-3610 |
| Program: |
Springfield College Athletic Teams Community Service |
| Description: |
Springfield College athletic team members (baseball, football, field hockey, track and field, softball, swimming and diving, volleyball, basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, and soccer) volunteer as teams in tutoring, conducting sports clinics, food pantry service, services for needy families, neighborhood cleanup, fundraising for not-for-profit organizations, and other community service projects. |
| Contact: |
Kelly Hart, Associate Director of Athletics, (413) 748-3334 |
| Program: |
Springfield College Center for Youth Development and Research |
| Description: |
With a faculty and staff of specialists in programming that supports positive development in young people, this center is a resource for organizations that foster youth development. The center is experienced in program consultation, research, design, presentation, and evaluation. It also conducts training for program staff and mentors, and provides sport psychology and athletic counseling services. |
| Contact: |
Albert J. Petitpas, Director, (866) 532-2289 |
| Program: |
Springfield College Office of Student Volunteer Programs |
| Description: |
Springfield College’s Office of Student Volunteer Programs places student volunteers in numerous single event and ongoing service projects throughout the year. This office alone coordinates about 4,330 hours of community service annually. |
| Contact: |
Charlene Elvers, Director of Student Volunteer Programs, (413) 748-3219 |
| Program: |
Springfield College Child Development Center |
| Description: |
Recognized as one of the foremost child development centers in the region, this Springfield College facility provides a stimulating, caring environment where children 15 months to 5 years of age learn and grow. Open to the community, it is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a designation that applies to only seven percent of U.S. child care centers. The teaching faculty is supported by Springfield College students of early childhood education. |
| Contact: |
Maureen Burke, Director of the Child Development Center, (413) 788-2451 |
| Program: |
Springfield Leaders of Tomorrow |
| Description: |
Springfield adolescents with the ability and desire to become community leaders receive scholarships to a summer two-week leadership training experience at Springfield College. Classroom and outdoor adventure exercises increase students’ confidence, communication and teamwork skills, and leadership experience. In the subsequent academic year, the participants lead activities in community organizations to further develop their character and academic success, with on-site support from Springfield College graduate students. The scholarships are valued at almost $1,200 per student. This program is supported in part by the City of Springfield, 21st Century Community Learning Centers. |
| Contact: |
Ted France, Associate Professor of Physical Education, (413) 748-3774 |
| Program: |
Summer Camps |
| Description: |
Springfield College hosts a wide variety of summer camp programs for children ages 4 to 18, including: lacrosse, soccer, basketball, gymnastics and fitness, tennis, football, softball, and athletic training. The sports camps are taught by Springfield College coaches and are designed to teach skills as well as provide a fun atmosphere of learning through comradeship. The athletic training camp is for high school students interested in careers in athletic training and sports medicine. |
| Contact: |
Katherine Smith, Director of Conferences and Special Events, (413) 748-5287 |
| Program: |
Support for the YMCA of Greater Springfield |
| Description: |
Springfield College has historic ties to the YMCA. Accordingly, select Springfield College administrators and faculty members serve on the corporate board and administrative committees of the YMCA of Greater Springfield. In addition, some of the college’s students, in particular those who are preparing for careers as YMCA leaders, often assist administrators; coach and referee sports events; and organize events, tournaments, and youth programs at the Springfield YMCA. |
| Contact: |
Harry Rock, Director, Office of YMCA Relations, (413) 748-3914 |
| Program: |
Tutoring and Mentoring Programs |
| Description: |
Springfield College students tutor and mentor Springfield elementary school children through several programs:
The Partners Program pairs 65 Springfield College students annually with children from DeBerry and Brookings schools for weekly sessions including dinner in the college’s dining hall. The program has served more than 1,200 youngsters in its 14-year history.
Through the America Reads Program, 90 Springfield College students work with children at 16 sites including Springfield public schools, community centers, not-for-profit organizations, and other public service venues.
Through the 5A Program, 20 Springfield College students tutor and mentor children, ages 7 through 14, on the Springfield College campus. This program has been in place since 1994.
|
| Contact: |
Charlene Elvers, Office of Student Volunteer Programs Director, (413) 748-3129 (America Reads and Partners Program)
John Wilson, Multicultural Center Director, (413) 748-3249 (5A Program) |
| Program: |
The William Blizard Gallery |
| Description: |
This art exhibition center, open to the public free of charge weekdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., during the academic year, hosts an ongoing schedule of changing exhibitions in painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and other creative media by student artists and also regional, national, and international artists. Contact: 748-3753 |
| Contact: |
Ronald Maggio, Associate Professor of Art, (413) 748-3753 |
| Program: |
William Simpson Fine Arts Series |
| Description: |
Each year Springfield College presents about two dozen visual and performing arts programs that are open to the public. Most of them are free of charge, and others have nominal admission fees. Programs include musical concerts, theater presentations, film festivals, dance concerts, art exhibitions, readings by noted authors, and innovative multi-media arts events. |
| Contact: |
Carol Mitchell, William Simpson Fine Arts Series Chair, (413) 748-3187 |
| Program: |
The World Is Flat |
| Description: |
Springfield College science and education faculty members and students work with the Springfield Public Schools and Springfield Science Museum to prepare highly qualified science teachers in kindergarten through grade six. They are preparing teachers and future teachers to identify elementary school students’ misconceptions about science concepts and to design instruction to correct those misconceptions. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. |
| Contact: |
Robert Barkman, Professor of Education, (413) 748-3734 |
|
