Service is stressed in a variety of ways at Alverno. For example, service is one criterion used to identity students who graduate with honors. Also, student organizations and clubs are encouraged to include community service as part of their regular activities. Service learning is infused into the curriculum. However, the Effective Citizenship Ability Department and Student Services take particular responsibility for maintaining and enhancing the ways service learning occurs across the curriculum and outside of it.
Service is seen as one of the outcomes of a liberal education.
Consequently, students are required to participate in community services as they develop the ability to act as effective citizens. The ability-based curriculum is designed to help students learn specific disciplines while, at the same time, learn how to use specific abilities to do something with what they know. At Alverno, knowledge and its application are inseparable. Consequently, there is a strong emphasis on active, experiential learning. The students develop abilities for leadership as individuals and within groups.