San Francisco Caroline Archibald grew up in the relatively safe, comfortable confines of San Mateo.

So she was a bit anxious about one key requirement of a sociology class she’s taking at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont.

The class requires students to spend time in the heart of the tough, gritty Tenderloin neighborhood in San Francisco.
“I was very hesitant,” she said. “You hear people getting shot.”

But Archibald quickly got over her worries…

…A good indication of the growth in service learning comes from Campus Compact, a national coalition of college and university presidents committed to civic purposes of higher education…