Community-engaged learning (CEL), a curriculum-based educational experience. During a CEL experience, students participate in an organized activity that meets community-identified needs. Faculty guidance and structured reflection support students as they integrate their CEL with the course curriculum, enhancing student understanding of course content. Through participating in a CEL experience, students will develop an awareness of and respect for diversity, inclusion, justice and social responsibility. Students will also learn important transferable skills beyond their coursework, preparing to serve as active citizens, informed community members and values-driven professionals.

At the end of a community-engaged learning course students should be able to:

• Reflect on how own attitudes and beliefs are different from those of other cultures and communities.
• Analyze knowledge (facts, theories, etc.) from one’s own academic discipline making relevant connections from community-engaged learning to one’s own participation in community life.
• Provide evidence of experience in community-engaged activities and describe how that engagement has led to a growing sense of civic identity and commitment.
• Effectively communicate in the community context, showing ability to do all of the following: express, listen, and adapt ideas and messages based on others’ perspectives.
• Demonstrate experience identifying intentional ways to participate in community or civic contexts and structures.