Community-Engaged Learning (CEL #290) is a community-based educational opportunity aimed to enhance learning through employing pedagogical strategies of structured critical reflection, dialogic engagement, integration of academic learning goals, and connection to clearly articulated community-desired outcomes and impact. In the CEL experience, students learn more about social issues, work alongside community partners, combine their off-campus learning with guided reflection under the mentorship of a faculty sponsor, and participate in critical reflection workshops with the OCEL. Students are eligible to receive either 0.5 unit (40 hours of community-based work and 30 hours of academic work) or 1.0 unit of academic credit (80 hours of community-based work and 60 hours of academic work) in the department of their faculty sponsor. CEL is ungraded. The OCEL upholds the College’s commitment to providing an accessible and inclusive learning environment. Please contact the office if you need any accommodations.
CEL projects and experiences are varied but include these criteria:
- Address a specific community-identified interest, inquiry, project, or idea;
- Includes working with and learning alongside a non-profit, governmental, or public service community organization that serves as a co-educator;
- Enhances classroom learning by making connections between the community-based work and the academic work;
- Centers structured critical reflection;
- Helps students develop tools and knowledge for social change.
Step 1: Set up an appointment with the OCEL!
- Make an appointment with Elizabeth here
- Make an appointment with Jean here
- Make an appointment with Sophie here
- Make an appointment with Jayda here
- Make an appointment with Stuart here
In this meeting, we will discuss your social justice passions, areas of interest, local community partners, transportation options, and go into more detail about the steps below. If you have a resume prepared, great! If not, we recommend meeting with The Center for Career Education (CCE).
In preparation, we encourage you to review CEL Opportunities here.
Step 2: Connect and interview with a community organization.
The OCEL will provide you with the contact information. We recommend that you share why you are interested in working alongside the organization and a copy of your resume.
Step 3: Email the OCEL to let us know if you are offered a position.
Step 4: Ask a faculty member to be your faculty sponsor.
We recommend asking someone you have taken a class with previously, or whose research aligns with the work of the organization.
Step 5: Register for CEL!
Register with the Add Form on the Registrar’s Website.
Spring CEL Registration: Pre-Registration (November 11-22) or Add Period of the Spring Semester (January 22 – 29)
Step 6: Complete the CEL Agreement Form.
The spring CEL Agreement form will be accessible in late January 2025.
Step 7: Attend 3 Mandatory CEL Workshops throughout the semester
The OCEL will email the dates and times to Spring CEL students.
Should you have any questions, please email ocel@vassar.edu