Experiential Learning and Community Engagement
Office of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement
The Office of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement (OELCE) at Molloy University facilitates hands-on learning experiences that align with the University’s commitment to transformative education in service to the community. We collaborate with faculty, students, and community partners to support service-learning, internships, practicums, and field experiences that bridge academic knowledge with real-world application. Through these opportunities, students develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of their disciplines in meaningful, community-based contexts.
Our Mission
The Office of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement fosters meaningful partnerships between students, faculty, and community organizations. Our mission is to support high-impact, reciprocal community engagement across academics and co-curricular experiences, reinforcing Molloy’s commitment to study, spirituality, service, and community.
Community Engagement at Molloy University
As an institution of higher education, and steeped in our Mission, Molloy University supports the development of a civically engaged academic environment by deepening relationships among students, faculty, staff, and community members through classroom, co-curricular, and place-based learning.
Leaning on the four pillars of Dominican tradition – study, spirituality, service, and community – it is vital to reflect critically on experiences and relate new insights to both local and global concerns. Community engagement describes the collaborations between Molloy and our local, regional, state, national, and global communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.
Community Engagement:
• Enriches scholarship
• Promotes research and creative activity
• Enhances curriculum, teaching, and learning
• Prepares educated students to become engaged citizens
• Strengthens democratic values and responds to critical societal issues
• Encourages civic responsibility to contribute to the public good
Curricular and Co-Curricular Engagement
Internships
Provides community-based internship opportunities for students in various disciplines.• Gain real-world experience.
• Build a professional network and develop career skills.
• Earn academic credit while applying classroom knowledge.
• Receive faculty guidance and structured reflection.
Community Work-Study Program
Provides eligible students with paid placements at local nonprofits while promoting civic engagement.• Supports Molloy’s mission to serve the community.
• Helps students develop professional and leadership skills.
• Addresses community needs through meaningful work experiences.
Alternative Spring Break
Students participate in immersive, service-learning experiences during spring break, addressing community-identified needs in various locations.
• Past trips have included service in New Orleans, Puerto Rico, and South Dakota (Lakota Nation).
• Projects vary and may include disaster recovery, environmental conservation, housing restoration, and youth engagement.
• Students engage with local nonprofits, community organizations, and academic institutions to gain hands-on experience while fostering civic responsibility.
Community Collaborations
Mentoring Latinas
Connects bilingual and bicultural Molloy students with Latina high school students to provide mentorship, academic support, and cultural enrichment.
• Weekly campus visits introducing mentees to college life.
• Academic support, including SAT and Regents tutoring.
• Leadership development workshops and cultural activities.
Rising Star Academy & Summer Camp
Rising Star provides both a school-year mentorship program and a five-week summer academic enrichment camp for elementary school students from Title I districts. These initiatives foster academic growth, leadership skills, and exposure to STEAM education, while also offering Molloy students the opportunity to serve as mentors and educators.
Rising Star Academy (School-Year Program)
• Weekly mentoring sessions for 5th graders at Molloy.
• STEAM-focused activities, homework support, and college exposure.
• Parent events, including campus tours with Admissions and health services from Molloy’s Mobile Clinic.
Rising Star Summer Camp
• Five-week academic enrichment program for students from Title I school districts.
• Taught by NYS-certified teachers in Math, ELA, and Character Education.
• Student-to-mentor ratio: 1:3.
Contact Us
Sarah Shin
Director
T: 516.323.3356
sshin@molloy.edu
Wendy Espinosa
Program Coordinator
T: 516.323.3355
wespinosa1@molloy.edu
Josefa Brasile
Administrative Assistant
T: 516.323.4053
jbrasile@molloy.edu