Creating a
Total Learning Environment

The Center for Community Development & Design (CCDD) is helping the campus reach its TLE goals in many ways. A summary by goal is provided below.

Grow to meet student and community needs.

CCDD is expanding on campus by establishing a Service-Leaning Floor in the dormitories where students who want to be involved in on and off campus service adventures will live together and be mentored by CCDD staff. CCDD is planning a repeat of its successful service-learning component of the orientation of the 400 students in Freshman Seminar. CCDD is also helping develop a new course called "80933" for Freshman Seminar focused on learning about the community and getting students involved.

CCDD is responding to community needs in many ways. We recently hosted a meeting of community and university leaders to identify local needs. We are putting a major emphasis on youth mentoring programs with the development of the Pikes Peak Youth Table Tennis Program (for at-risk youth in schools and teen centers) and programs on an off campus that connect UCCS student mentors with expelled students and those who need encouragement to consider college.
We continue to provide applied research for schools, non-profits, neighborhoods and government agencies at all levels.

Provide a comprehensive, personalized, educational experience.

Besides the items mentioned under heading 1, CCDD has expanded its assistance to individual students by finding internships and service-learning opportunities for them as parts of independent studies or class assignments. We are also participating in Project Transition by designing a junior level course that will use service-learning and internship experiences to help students explore individual career opportunities.

Enhance basic and applied research activity.

CCDD continues to blend service, education and applied research activities in its work for a wide variety of public clients. We find funding for faculty and students to participate and coordinate all aspects of the work.

Use technology to improve teaching, learning, research and management.

We often employ distance-learning techniques. These have included:

• CCDD's website with information about current and past projects and a link to an on-line volunteer recruitment and matching service that we designed and that is now hosted by a commercial collaborator;
• Satellite broadcasts to emergency management professionals around the state with real-time interaction;
• Service to remote school districts with planning needs using GIS and data base management technology in our office by UCCS students and faculty (which greatly reduces time and costs);
• Spring break service learning adventures that integrate technical education in environmental management with service, cross-cultural experiences and recreational opportunities; and
• The regular use of email and interactive task lists to manage the work of numerous employees working in several communities.

Develop community partnership and support.

All of the cash funding for CCDD comes from contracts and grants from its clients, collaborators and supporters. All CCDD projects involve community partnerships. CCDD strives to work with its partners in ways that empower individuals and organizations to become more self-sufficient and effective.

Model the values of diversity.

CCDD has an ethnically diverse staff and works with many organizations run by and serving minority residents. We have developed a service-learning class for Ethnic Minority Studies that places students in such organizations. Our youth mentoring and sport programs target minority populations. We are currently developing a partnership with African-American churches that want us to bring students and faculty into community improvement projects.

Enhance the University human, physical, and fiscal infrastructure.

CCDD helps train and supports students, faculty, and staff in their desires to serve by providing the funding, connections, and practical support that allow them to focus on learning and serving. By funding CCDD's activities from off campus sources for the past 6 years, we have reduced pressure on the University's budget while expanding its outreach and enhancing its image.

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