As the end of the semester approaches computer labs on campus quickly fill up and the library becomes a choice late-night hangout as students prepare for the last few weeks of tests, essays, projects, and finals hoping to walk away from each class with a passing grade and new skills.

However, some classes on campus offer students the opportunity to gain more than a letter grade by the end of the semester.

Classes such as Technical and Professional Writing (ENGL 3314) taught by visiting professor Pablo Miguel Martinez this spring, include a Service Learning component that requires students to volunteer with nonprofit organizations around the community.

Nonprofit organizations that participated this year include the Witte Museum, Family Service Association of San Antonio, and Humane Society of Bexar County and play a vital role in the students’ class work as well as completion of the course.

“The students put practical writing to use using lessons learned in the class while working with these nonprofit organizations,” said Martinez.

On April 30, the class will have an annual appreciation banquet to acknowledge those who have made the project possible and productive throughout the year. It will be in the Providence West Social Room (PWSR) at 4 p.m.

For right now, Martinez is the only professor teaching this course.

“I would like to see this program grow and expand because there is a great need for real-world experience,” said Martinez.