The Anne Christensen Doyle Center for Engagement, Learning, & Leadership

The name of the Center recognizes the important work and dedication of our colleague, Anne Christensen Doyle, who passed away on September 1, 2012 while serving as the College's international admissions counselor. During her professional career, Anne managed study abroad programs, arranged for visits from international visitors, and ensured that Hawkeye Community College and Allen College met all requirements of the Department of Homeland Security relative to the admission and enrollment of international students. Anne held baccalaureate and master's degrees from the University of Northern Iowa.

The Anne Christensen Doyle Center for Engagement, Learning and Leadership is supported by generous gifts from Anne's husband, Allen College alumnus Timothy Doyle; from Anne's father and stepmother, David and Glenda Christensen; and from Anne's friends, colleagues, and other family members. With this support, the Center will build on its mission to connect faculty, staff and students to community needs through mutually beneficial partnerships that develop civic responsibility and sustain community commitment.

Mission
Connecting faculty, staff and students to community needs through mutually beneficial partnerships that develop civic responsibility and sustain community commitment.
Vision

The vision of the Center for Engagement, Learning and Leadership to promote:

  • CARING - Demonstrate the core values of Allen College through service experiences.
  • DIVERSITY - Promote engagement through diverse service experiences.
  • PARTNERSHIPS - Develop a sustainable network of mutually beneficial partnerships within the community.
  • EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE - Improve the lives of others by providing exceptional service to the community.
Goals

The goals of the Center for Engagement, Learning and Leadership are to:

  • Develop an institutional culture to support and sustain community service and service-learning.
  • Foster civic responsibility, leadership development and lifelong learning through engagement in service
  • Enhance existing community partnerships and build relationships with diverse partners through collaboration.
CELL Honors Program

Committed to nurturing and strengthening student engagement and leadership through service-learning experiences.

During the second semester at Allen College, Traditional pre-licensure BSN students are eligible to apply for the Honors Program. The Honors Program consists of three, one credit courses taken sequentially during the final three semesters. These courses may be used to fulfill the nursing elective or a general education elective requirement. Teaching strategies used in these courses include face-to-face seminars and service-learning experiences.

Required Courses: 

AC: 316 A Service Honors: Diversity and Communication

The focus of this course is to gain exposure to diverse populations and improve communication. Students engage in experiential learning using critical reflection, providing service to the community. A minimum of 15 contact hours at community agencies during the course are required.

AC 316 B Service Honors: Leadership and Group Work

Building leadership skills and cultivating the ability to work in groups is the focus of this course. Students engage in experiential learning using critical reflection, providing service to the community. A minimum of 15 contact hours at community agencies during the course are required.

AC 316 C Service Honors: Service

The final course in the three-part series focuses on service and the impact service has on communities. Students engage in experiential learning using critical reflection, providing service to the community. A minimum of 15 contact hours at community agencies during the course are required.

CELL - Service-Learning

Service-learning is a teaching method that connects learning in the classroom to active participation of service to the community.

Service-Learning is a method…

  • Under which students learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet actual community needs and that are coordinated in collaboration with the school and the community.
  • That is integrated into the student’s academic curriculum or provides structured time for a student to think, talk or write about what the student did during the actual service activity.
  • That provides students with opportunities to use newly acquired skills and knowledge in real life situations in their own communities.
  • That enhances what is taught in school by extending student learning beyond the classroom and into the community and helps to foster the development of a sense of caring for others (National Community Service Act of 1990).
  • Allen College Students currently enrolled in the School of Nursing and the School of Health Sciences take designated courses that provide service-learning activities connecting students and the community.

Service Learning helps to develop responsible health care providers who recognize the value of community. Student involvement in these experiences allows Allen College to fulfill its mission of educating and developing individuals as health care professionals who are committed to caring, excellence and lifelong learning through educational and experiential programs and community service. In addition to meeting the mission of the college, other student benefits include:

  • Enhance critical thinking ability.
  • Better application of knowledge learned in the classroom.
  • Development as a participating member of the community.
  • Learn new problem-solving skills.
  • Develop a stronger connection with the academic institution.
  • Improved student retention.
  • Increase likelihood of participation in volunteer activities in the future.
Allen College Service Learning Days

Community service days are scheduled each semester for students, faculty and staff to support our Cedar Valley Community. Allen College partners with the following organizations:

  • Cedar Valley Arboretum
  • Cedar Valley Trails Partnership
  • House of Hope
  • Northeast Iowa Food Bank 
  • Salvation Army
  • UnityPoint – Allen Hospital

For additional information regarding community support, please contact Amy.Weston@shusterconnect.com or (319) 226-2028.