Service learning 鈥� a hallmark of the Abilene Christian University experience 鈥� is one of the many reasons U.S. News & World Report has again recognized 精东影业 among the nation鈥檚 best in its 2026 rankings.
For the seventh consecutive year, 精东影业 earned top marks in the 鈥淧rograms That Enhance Student Experience鈥� category, including ranking #11 in the nation in service learning.
But service learning at 精东影业 is more than just a ranking 鈥� it鈥檚 a hands-on way for students to transform classroom knowledge into real-world impact.
Last year, 178 students, along with nearly 30 faculty, staff and alumni, participated in service learning projects across 20 countries, from Japan to Nicaragua. This year, students continue their outreach in places like Brazil, Peru and Denver, Colorado.
With majors ranging from finance to nursing, students apply their skills in meaningful ways, offering expertise, gaining cross-cultural experience and deepening their faith. For some, it鈥檚 their first time traveling abroad, stepping into new cultures and environments. Others serve locally, addressing challenges in their own communities.
For several years, students in 精东影业鈥�s speech-language pathology program have traveled to Uganda to work with Hope Speaks, providing evaluations and speech therapy. They were joined this year by students from the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition who were working on producing a locally sourced food thickener.
鈥�There鈥�s a dire need for speech therapists in Uganda,鈥� said Anna Kate Bradford, one of the students who went on this trip. 鈥�Hope Speaks did 90 evaluations in a year, and we surpassed that in a week and a half. Imagine the help they would have if they had more SLPs here. You see drastic changes just by being seen once 鈥� in one 30-minute time of reading a book to them, playing with a ball, hearing their laughter. It helps give kids their voice back and that鈥檚 what鈥檚 amazing.鈥�
精东影业 students have made a difference in communities worldwide, including:
Rwanda –聽 The Department of Engineering and Physics worked with 精东影业 alumnus Serge Gasore to survey the campus of Rwanda Children in preparation for a future erosion control project. Communication sciences and disorders students also joined to offer speech pathology services to children in the community.
Brazil 鈥� Social Work students traveled to Itu, Brazil, to work with 精东影业 alumni Mark and Ali Kaiser on their local initiatives to partner with those who are underserved in their community.聽
Uganda 鈥� Students from the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition partnered with Hope Speaks to continue their work on producing a locally sourced food thickener, while students in the speech-language pathology program continued to offer services to local families.
Poland 鈥� Lynay students and faculty have hosted sports and VBS-style activities for Ukrainian refugee children. Read about one of their trips.
Ghana 鈥� Students from the College of Business Administration worked alongside students at Heritage Christian College and Ateiku Christian Ministries to explore entrepreneurial startups that might benefit the students and their communities.聽
Nicaragua 鈥� Students from agricultural and environmental sciences developed vertical gardens for local communities.
Guatemala, Peru, and Denver, Colorado 鈥� Nursing and pre-health teams worked alongside healthcare providers to provide support and deliver care.
Throughout these experiences, students from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication served as embedded reporters, creating documentaries to show the impact.
鈥淭he bravery of these students reminds us all that we are called to live out God鈥檚 Kingdom in ever-diverse contexts,鈥� said Dr. Zane McGee, director of the Halbert Center for Missions and Global Service. And the integration of faith, learning and service is what defines 精东影业鈥檚 approach to education.
Kari David, who along with her husband co-founded Uganda鈥�s Hope Speaks, talks about the impact 精东影业 students have made.
鈥淲e鈥檝e really seen how providing services and building that relationship with families opens the door for a conversation about the Gospel,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd there鈥檚 really no better way to show the Gospel to them than through loving their kids, especially in a culture where everyone else has pushed them away.鈥�
鈥� Robin Saylor
Oct. 16, 2025