Welcome to the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement

The Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement at Elon University, in partnership with local and international communities, advances student learning, leadership and citizenship to prepare students for lives of active community engagement within a complex and changing world. This preparation is grounded in an ethic of service that appreciates multiple perspectives, creates opportunities that are affirming and empowering to all, and responds to the needs of our diverse communities.

• Educates students through curricular and co-curricular experiences encompassing direct service, indirect service and advocacy.
• Creates and supports collaborative and sustainable relationships between faculty, staff, students and community partners.
• Encourages personal responsibility and a deeper understanding of societal issues.
• Fosters creative solutions to social concerns and identified community needs.
• Builds student leadership, community capacity and faculty/staff engagement.

Kernodle Center staff members are responsible for different aspects of this mission.

History of the John R. Kernodle, Jr. Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement

2010-2011

The Elon University Campus Kitchen begins operations.

Elon University students participate in over 100 thousand hours of service.

The East Burlington route of the Elon Bio Bus is fully funded by Elon University. The route connects students to 32 partner agencies.

2009-2010

The Kernodle Center for Service Learning changes its name to the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement.

The Elon University Campus Kitchen is funded. A full-time staff member is hired to manage the project.

2008-2009

Elon sends its 21st service trip to the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Katrina relief.

Elon is named one of five recipients of The Washington Center's inaugural Higher Education Civic Engagement Award.

President Leo Lambert receives the inaugural William Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education from the National Society for Experiential Education.

2007-2008

Elon Volunteers! celebrates its 20th anniversary at Elon’s Homecoming. Chaplain Richard W. McBride is honored for his leadership.

2006-2007

Elon is named as one of the top three universities nationwide in the inaugural President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

2005-2006

Elon sends five service trips to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to provide Hurricane Katrina relief.

Elon receives money from the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation of Arkansas to develop two new programs: Community Partnership Initiative Grants and LINCS.

2004-2005

Kernodle Center hires first full-time Assistant Director.

International spring break service trips expand to include the Mexican border region.

2003-2004

Pam Kiser named first Kernodle Center Faculty Development Fellow for Academic Service-Learning.

AmeriCorps*VISTA begins first term of service.

Elon ranks among top-20 higher education service learning programs by US. News.

Elon offers first international spring break service trip to Dominican Republic.

2002-2003

Two part-time employees are hired: an Associate Director and an Outreach Coordinator.

Elon ranks #14 in U.S.News & World Report for higher education service learning programs.

2001- 2002

Elon offers first Habitat for Humanity study abroad winter term course in Guatemala.

North Carolina Campus Compact forms at Elon.

2000-2001

First year that Elon's Habitat for Humanity Chapter builds two homes.

1999-2000

First North Carolina Campus Volunteers Service-Learning Institute is held at Elon.

Kernodle Center is featured in the Kaplan/Newsweek "How to Get into College" Guide.

1997

America Reads program starts.

Center for Service-Learning receives endowment gift from the John R. Kernodle, Sr. family to name the center in honor of John Robert Kernodle, Jr.

1996

First year the "Call to Service" winter term course is offered.

1995

Elon receives grant from the Council of Independent Colleges to establish a Center for Service-Learning.

1994-1995

First year of the Service-Learning Community.

First year of tracking courses linked with a service component.

1994

Office of Volunteer Programs and Leadership moves to Student Affairs.

1993

Office of Volunteer Programs forms as part of the Provost's Office.

1992-1993

First year of tracking number of hours and volunteers (1,187 volunteers / 15,509 hours).

1992

First paid staff member is hired and funded by grant from the United Church of Christ. The first Pre-Service community program is developed.

1990

Elon Volunteers! (EV!) forms as part of the Chaplain's Office.

1989

Jimmy Carter visits Elon College; during visit he promotes Habitat for Humanity.

1988

Elon College Habitat for Humanity Chapter is chartered.

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