<aside> ⭐ This case study highlights training, credentialing, and academic credit for AmeriCorps members.

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SCI logo

Merrimack College logo

About SCI AmeriCorps

Social Capital Inc. (SCI) was founded in 2002 to “strengthen communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives.” SCI hosts an AmeriCorps program, SCI AmeriCorps, that places members at youth-serving organizations in Boston and surrounding areas to increase volunteer participation and provide leadership and community service opportunities for youth. Over 300 members have served with SCI AmeriCorps since the program began in 2007. In 2023-2024, SCI AmeriCorps has nine Full-Time (FT) members, but expects to grow to approximately 20 members in coming years.

About Merrimack College

Merrimack College is a private, Catholic, comprehensive college located in the Boston suburbs of Andover and North Andover. One of the “fastest growing educational institutions in the country,” Merrimack currently has over 4,000 undergraduate students and 1,400 graduate students. It offers over 100 undergraduate programs, 28 graduate programs, and 16 graduate certificates (including both in-person and virtual degree options). Rooted in the Catholic faith, Merrimack strives to engage in ”collaborative efforts fostering a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.” The Winston School of Education and Social Policy, one of five schools on the campus, offers undergraduate and graduate programs in education, social work, and criminal justice, as well as an online Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Community Engagement.

Partnership Description

SCI AmeriCorps is partnering with The Winston School of Education and Social Policy to offer training, credentialing, and academic credit for members during their term of service.

During fall semester, members participate in the SCI Developing Leaders program, a curriculum co-created and co-facilitated by SCI AmeriCorps staff and Merrimack faculty. The SCI Developing Leaders program meets on Fridays, from October-December, for a total of nine training sessions. Seven of these sessions are facilitated by SCI staff and two are facilitated by Merrimack faculty on Merrimack’s campus. Topics covered include diversity, equity, and inclusion; youth development; volunteer management; etc.

During spring semester, members enroll in “Community Engagement Theory and Practice,” a four-credit online course that is available to both undergraduate students and graduate students in the M.Ed. in Community Engagement program at Merrimack College. SCI AmeriCorps paid Merrimack to offer a special section of this course only for SCI AmeriCorps members. Members can choose whether they want to audit the course or enroll in the course for academic credit. Either way, they are not responsible for any tuition costs. As Merrimack students, members also receive access to campus resources like the library and fitness center. Through an articulation agreement between Merrimack and SCI AmeriCorps, students who want to enroll in the M.Ed. in Community Engagement program after their service term receive expedited admission and a matching award from The Winston School of Education and Social Policy.

In the initial year of this partnership, SCI AmeriCorps paid Merrimack approximately $25,000, which covered SCI Developing Leaders curriculum development and facilitation, member tuition for the “Community Engagement Theory and Practice” course,  and train-the-trainer workshops for SCI staff.

Lessons Learned

• Philip Gordon, Deputy Director of SCI AmeriCorps, initiated this partnership to increase benefits for members and create pathways from service to higher education and/or career. He estimates that the training, credentialing, academic credit, and other benefits increase value for members by approximately $20,000 (from $30,000 to $50,000). This increased value is a critical selling point in recruitment!
• Merrimack was ranked the 14th most innovative school in the country by U.S. News and World Report, and SCI AmeriCorps recognizes the importance of Merrimack’s innovative, “forward-thinking” approach in developing this partnership. Another institution that SCI contacted about this partnership opportunity estimated that developing the partnership would take two to three years. With the help of invested and innovative faculty, the partnership with Merrimack was off the ground in a matter of months.
• Although this partnership works well for SCI AmeriCorps and Merrimack, it may not be easily replicated. AmeriCorps programs should look for unique intersection points between their programs and local higher ed institutions. In this case, Merrimack’s community engagement program, combined with Merrimack’s interest in growing graduate enrollment and online learning opportunities, intersected perfectly with SCI AmeriCorps’ desire to offer training for its members.
• The Massachusetts state service commission (Massachusetts Service Alliance) helped to lay the groundwork for this partnership by developing relationships with higher ed institutions and educating campuses about AmeriCorps and opportunities for partnership. This is an important role for service commissions.

For More Information

Philip Gordon Social Capital Inc Email Philip