About us
The Service-Learning Institute drives research, training, and implementation of the S-L methodology in Ecuador and internationally. Since 2011, USFQ has been a pioneer in institutionalizing this methodology, generating positive impacts on students, faculty, and community partners.
Our mission is to promote S-L across diverse educational contexts—from higher education to K-12 levels—through strategic partnerships and projects that foster civic engagement, collaborative problem-solving, and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.
Research interests
Impact of the Service-Learning (S-L) methodology on all those involved in both higher education and at the school level in Ecuador, in global S-L programs, and other contexts where it is applied.
Mission
The mission of the Institute of Service-Learning-USFQ (IAS-USFQ) is to research and disseminate the Service-Learning (S-L) methodology and to create international S-L experiences for educational institutions in Ecuador.
Vision
The vision of IAS-USFQ is to be a research and dissemination center of the S-L methodology with national and international recognition.
Publications
- Dow, G., Díaz, K. (2022). Service-Learning as a Catalyst for Global Learning and Civic Engagement: A Collaborative Pedagogical Experiment. In Johnston, D., López, I., The Wiley Handbook of Collaborative Online Learning and Global Engagement. Wiley.
- Ramia, N., Díaz, K. (2019). Service-Learning as a methodology to promote equity and inclusion: Best practice experience in Ecuador. In Hoffman, J., Blessinger P., Makhaya, M., Strategies for fostering inclusive classrooms in higher education: International perspectives on equity and inclusion. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Diaz, K., Ramia, N., Bramwell, D., Costales, F. (2019). Civic attitudes and skills development through service-learning in Ecuador. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 23, 3, 124-144.
- Diaz, K., Ramia, N., Garlock, L. (2017). Impact of mandatory service-learning course on civic attitudes and skills: Case study in Ecuador. International Journal of Educational Excellence, 3, 1, 14-38.
- Cherniak, W., et al. (2017). Visiting trainees in global settings: Host and partner perspectives on desirable competencies. Annals of Global Health, 83, 2, 359-368.
Workshops
- Custom and Open Workshops on Service-Learning:
- Courses for USFQ professors on Service Learning:
News
1. Chile:
- International Academic Visit – June 2025
Between the 3rd and 10th of June, the Service-Learning Institute (IAS-USFQ) welcomed the valuable visit of Héctor Opazo, director of Innovation, Research, and Graduate Studies at Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez, and Chenda Ramírez, researcher at the Regional Center for Inclusion and Social Innovation of Universidad Viña del Mar. During their stay at USFQ, we strengthened our inter-institutional collaborations for training, research, and internationalization of Service-Learning (SL). The agenda included research presentations and workshops on sustainable development, social inclusion, and the potential of SL as a transformative methodology for higher education.
2. PUCE:
- PUCE´s SL Meeting – May 2025
On May 7, the Third Ecuadorian Service-Learning Network Gathering took place at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE). The attendees presented projects on service-learning, including representatives from Universidad San Francisco de Quito, PUCE, Colegio Einstein, Unidos por la Educación, UTE, UHE, IES Abroad Quito, and Galápagos. This event helped strengthen the diffusion of these methodologies across organizations and educational institutions in the country.
The gathering fostered the exchange of transformative educational experiences, showcased the initiatives of participating organizations, and inspired more stakeholders to reimagine education through Service-Learning.
- Global Exchange with Cornell University
This semester, students from USFQ and Cornell University participated in the Collaborative Hybrid International Learning program (CHIL), which also included an in-person exchange between Ecuador and the United States. The main goal of this initiative was to strengthen Global Citizenship and promote equity in access to international experiences for students.
The activities included collaborative research on interculturality, sustainability, leadership, and gender; community service in educational organizations in both countries; as well as the promotion of global citizenship and critical reflection on educational policies. In addition, the project involves a joint research study using the GES instrument to assess the impact of the experience on participants.
Contact: paltamirano@usfq.edu.ec | spalaciosp@usfq.edu.ec | jmf389@cornell.edu
Organizers: @usfq, OPI, IAS, @Cornell, Brooks School, Einhorn Center & Global Hubs
Past News
- In the second semester of 2023-2024, we participated in a global learning experience with Cornell University as part of its Global Hubs initiative, in the “Think Globally, Act Locally” program. This includes virtual interaction with COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) and a one-week in-person exchange in Ithaca, New York, and at our USFQ Cumbayá campus.
- In November 2023, we had our first Global Service-Learning training with the collaboration of Richard Kiely from Cornell University's Einhorn Center and GAIAS Europe. More details about this event can be found here.
- On March 21, ten students and two professors from USFQ (Karla Díaz and Nascira Ramia) traveled to Cornell. On March 31, our students returned with thirteen students and two professors from Cornell (Julie Ficarra and Sofía Villenas).
- The purpose is to promote global citizenship, community engagement, and compare perspectives through Service-Learning. During the in-person meetings, students presented collaborative research on access to drinking water, public health, indigenous rights, among other topics, and visited Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Otavalo, and the Historic Center of Quito. They also participated in community service days at local organizations.
- We currently have about 10 Service-Learning projects with Academic Colleges: CADE, COCISOH, COSIBA, COCSA, POLI, and JUR.
- In 2023, we had several international visits, including two from Cornell and our partners from the Einhorn Center and students from Denison University for various S-L implementation projects: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7041110507214262272.
- We formed the Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning (REApS) and had the First REApS Meeting at USFQ. More information about the event can be found at these links:
- We have initiated a new self-taught S-L BADGE, open each semester. For more information, contact SHIFT Academy at: shift@usfq.edu.ec.
For more information, see:
USFQ News:
Cornell University News:
Research projects
- Service-learning impact on community partners, students, and faculty at an Ecuadorean University. (COMPLETED).
- How do Chilean and Ecuadorian university students reflect on their experiences within the contextualized implementation of a collaborative, reflective service-learning model? (COMPLETED).
- Propuesta Aprendizaje- Servicio y desarrollo de competencias cívica. Un estudio comparado en estudiantes de Ecuador y Chile, Quito 2024. (IN PROGRESS).
- Think Globally, Act Locally: Comparative Perspectives con Community Engagement. (IN PROGRESS).
S-L Projects
| Teachers | Class and Project | USFQ Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Paola Hidrobo | Gerencia de Costos: Educación Financiera para el equipo de Workforce. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/paola-hidrobo-burbano |
| María Emilia Carbonell | Inclusión y Diversidad: Observaciones y Retroalimentación a organizaciones que fomentan la inclusión educativa. | https://ec.linkedin.com/in/maria-emilia-carbonell-ab85b214b |
| Valeria Troya | Psicología Educativa: Observaciones y Retroalimentación a organizaciones que trabajan en educación. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/valeria-estefania-troya-lopez |
| Andrea Gonzáles | Psicología Social: Observaciones y Retroalimentación sobre el prejuicio en "Huertomanías". | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/andrea-gonzalez-lorza |
| Ximena Ferro | Campañas Publicitarias: Desarrollar una campaña publicitaria para una fundación benéfica. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/ximena-patricia-ferro-alduna |
| Daniela Valdiviezo | Psicología de la Salud: Talleres Interactivos con organizaciones varias sobre los temas de la clase. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/daniela-valarezo-valdivieso |
| Mario Ayabaca | Autoconocimiento: Talleres de desarrollo personal y autoconocimiento para niñas y jóvenes que han sufrido violencia de género. | https://ec.linkedin.com/in/marioayabaca |
| Mónica Villar | Taller Avanzado de Arquitectura: Propuesta de mejora y reactivación del Centro Histórico de Quito. | https://research.usfq.edu.ec/es/persons/m%C3%B3nica-villar-c%C3%A1ceres |
| José Miguel Mantilla | Evaluación Nutricional: Llevar a cabo evaluaciones nutricionales a personas en situaciones vulnerables. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/martha-cecilia-yepez-garcia |
| Martha Yépez | Bioquímica Médica: Podcasts para niños y niñas sobre temas de química y medicina que asisten a la biblioteca Lupini. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/jose-miguel-mantilla-salgado |
| Rodrigo López | Economía: Talleres y Mentoría a estudiantes interesados en la materia para la aplicación de la Beca USFQ "Rubén Darío". | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/rodrigo-lopez-santos |
| Emilie Dupuits | Ecofeminismo, cosmopolítica y dialogo intercultural en la comunidad de La Chimba-Cayambe: Diseñar propuestas de reforma del PAM o ACNUR y presentarlas a poblaciones beneficiarias de proyectos de esas organizaciones en el campo. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/emilie-dupuits |
| Arleth Espín | Intervención en Clínica: Proporcionar apoyo emocional y psicoeducativo a los niños y adolescentes atendidos por FUDELA, a través de la intervención de nuestros estudiantes. | https://ec.linkedin.com/in/arleth-espin-cadena-a14681171 |
| Gabriela Romo | Psicología de la Salud: Material Educativo sobre temas de Salud Mental para la comunidad USFQ. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/maria-gabriela-romo-barriga |
| María Emilia Carbonell | Psicología Educativa: Observaciones y Retroalimentación a organizaciones que trabajan en educación. | https://ec.linkedin.com/in/maria-emilia-carbonell-ab85b214b |
| Emilie Dupuits | Teorías Contemporáneas de las RRII: Comprender e investigar sobre el modelo de desarrollo sostenible de la comunidad y la justicia ambiental de la comunidad de Yunguilla en el Choco. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/emilie-dupuits |
| Vannessa Gallegos | Liderazgo: Dar herramientas para gestionar emociones y manejar exitosamente a equipos para emprendedores ecuatorianos. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/vanessa-gallegos-elhers |
| John Dunn | Teoría Urbana 2: Implementar un proyecto de normativa que se convierta en una alternativa a las expropiaciones; y que beneficie tanto al municipio como a los expropiados cerca del rio Machángara. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/john-alejandro-dunn-insua |
| María José Andrade Cuvi | Tecnología de cereales: Compartir conocimientos con estudiantes de la Unidad Educativa Dolores Cacuango, para promover principios de inclusión, diversidad y equidad. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/maria-jose-andrade-cuvi |
| Ximena Ferro | Teoría Urbana 2: Realización de una campaña publicitaria para una fundación ecuatoriana para solucionar problemas por este medio. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/ximena-patricia-ferro-alduna |
| Juan José Espinosa de los Monteros | Principios de marketing: Ayudar a las tiendas del barrio a mejorar en sus prácticas de merchandising, atención al cliente y registro de cuentas básicas para aumentar sus ingresos. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/juan-jose-espinosa-de-los-monteros |
| Saskya Fun Sang | Intro to ceramics: Mini taller de cerámica dónde se enseñarán técnicas básicas de cerámica, dirigido a hijos, sobrinos del personal de workforce de la USFQ. | https://www.usfq.edu.ec/es/perfiles/saskya-fun-sang |
| María José Enríquez Cruz | Relaciones Públicas 2: Trabajar en la campaña Recicla Esperanza para educar a la comunidad sobre la importancia del reciclaje a través de buenas prácticas de comunicación. | https://ec.linkedin.com/in/mar%C3%ADa-jos%C3%A9-enr%C3%ADquez-cruz-ba0036a3 |
Alliances
Entity Name: Cornell University, Einhorn Center for Community Engagement
Country: United States
Type of Collaboration: Agreement – Global Hubs
Entity Name: Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Ikiam Amazonian University
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Universidad UTE
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Unidos Por la Educación
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Colegio Einstein
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: IES Abroad
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Ibero-American Learning and Service Network
Country: Ibero-America
Type of Collaboration: Participation in events such as the Ecuadorian Learning and Service Network
Entity Name: Chango Foundation
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Universidad de los Hemisferios UHE
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Academic staff
Service-Learning Institute Director
Professor of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities
Darwin Building, DW-100
Professor of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities
Hayek Building, H-225B
Innovation and Continuous Improvement Coordinator
Secretary Human Research Ethics Committee (CEISH)
Galileo Building, G-104
Education Professor
Coordinadora del Área de PASEC
Darwin 100
Contact
Service-Learning Institute Director
Professor of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities
Office
Darwin Building, DW-100
(+593 2) 297-1700
1401
Service-Learning Institute Coordinator
(+593 2) 297-1700
1131