Date of Award

1-1-2012

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

School of Social Welfare

Content Description

1 online resource (viii, 140 pages) : illustrations.

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Loretta Pyles

Committee Members

Eunju Lee, Yvonne D. Harrison

Keywords

college students, nonprofit, service-learning, volunteer management, Nonprofit organizations, Student volunteers in social service, Service learning

Subject Categories

Social Work

Abstract

This qualitative case study explores the perceptions that employees from one nonprofit workplace have of college students completing community service as part of an undergraduate class with the Community and Public Service Program (CPSP). Social cognitive theory was used to frame the research questions. Factors of work stress, public service motivation, and volunteer/service learner management practices were considered. In-person interviews and a focus group were conducted with fifteen employees. In addition, four personnel from the CPSP and two students taking a class with CPSP and performing service at the case study site were also interviewed. Findings show that employees appear to have manageable levels of work stress, a strong commitment to public service and a passion for working with the target population of the agency. The agency overall has minimal volunteer/service learner management practices; in its place is a structured residential program model where students volunteer and a culture supportive of volunteers/college students in the workplace. Employees unanimously reported an overall positive perception of college students performing service. Implications and recommendations are discussed in light of these findings for nonprofit management, institutions of higher education and social work educators.

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