SEGWAY
(Social Emotional Growth for Area Youth)
SEGWAY (Social Emotional Growth with Area Youth) is a collaborative service-learning initiative that connects San José State University (SJSU) students with local elementary schools to promote Social Emotional Learning (SEL) among K–5 students. SEL helps youth develop emotional intelligence and build healthy relationships. The program is a partnership between Professor Krissy Hassett, who teaches ChAD 168 (Social Emotional Learning) at SJSU, and the community-based organization CORAL (Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning).
In the 2024–25 academic year, SEGWAY events took place at Washington, Empire Gardens, McKinley, and Olinder Elementary Schools. Sixty-one SJSU students from ChAD 168 were split into small groups to design and deliver 30–45 minute lessons focused on one of five SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
These lessons, integrated into CORAL’s after-school program, used hands-on activities to build skills like teamwork, goal setting, empathy, and emotional regulation. For SJSU students, SEGWAY provided real-world experience in teaching SEL concepts, deepened their understanding of child
development, and enhanced their skills in communication, collaboration, and curriculum design. They gained valuable insight by leading classroom sessions, reflecting on outcomes, and adjusting their strategies to meet young learners’ needs.
More than just a single event, SEGWAY is a dynamic, hands-on learning experience that strengthens connections between college students and local youth and allows future educators an opportunity to support healthy emotional development in children.
Project Impacts
95% of youth said they could apply what they learned in real-life situations. Student reflections included learning “how to make goals” and “how to work in a team,” showing the program’s practical impact.
100% of SJSU graduate students indicated that SEGWAY helped them understand social and emotional growth issues for school-age children
25% of elementary school participants indicated that they learned new conflict management techniques
Participants*
Community Engaged Learners*
Cumulative Hours
Investment Value*
Faculty Lead
Krissy Connell
What people say?
* Community Participants include K–12 students engaged in educational activities and workshops, along with residents attending neighborhood events and celebrations.
* Community Engaged Learners (CEL) include SJSU students who apply course-based knowledge through activities and presentations for K–12 students, as well as Public Health, Communications, and Educational Counseling interns who work directly with the CommUniverCity team to implement projects.
* Investment Value encapsulates the total monetary worth of the CEL volunteer hours contributed to the project.