What is Community Engaged Learning?
Overview of CEL, core principles, and why it matters
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CEL Information for Students
Discover CEL courses, build essential skills, and connect your coursework to real communities.CEL Information for Community Partners
Partner with 海角直播 Denver students to address community needs through meaningful, reciprocal collaboration.
Faculty Toolkit & Resource Hub
Welcome, Faculty!
This toolkit is designed to support 海角直播 Denver faculty who are exploring or actively teaching with Community Engaged Learning (CEL). Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your approach, you鈥檒l find practical tools, templates, and research-backed strategies to enrich your teaching and student learning.
The Faculty Engagement & Experiential Learning (FE&EL) team is available to partner with you in aligning CEL with your course goals, building community partnerships, and integrating critical reflection and assessment practices.
Nationally recognized community collaboration.
Metropolitan State University of Denver has been awarded the聽 which honors colleges and universities that collaborate with community partners through teaching,聽research聽and service.
As of January 2026, total of 277 universities hold this classification. 海角直播 Denver is one of only four schools in Colorado to be recognized.
Course Designation Shift from SL to CEL
Effective Fall 2026, the “Community Engaged Learning (CEL) designation replaced the former “Service Learning (SL)” designation.
What to Know About the Transition
This update:
- Requires faculty to update syllabi and course objectives
- Includes no new MCC approval if previously designated as SL
- Allows for integration of new CEL Student-Based Learning Outcomes (SBLOs) during the Fall 2027/Spring 2028 curriculum cycle
- Includes a Curriculum Pause Advisory to streamline this batch transition. The CEL team is available to support updates and ensure alignment with institutional goals during this pause to curriculum changes.
Additional Readings Related to the SL to CEL Transition
- The CEL White Paper is聽海角直播鈥檚 guiding document on the shift from 鈥淪ervice Learning鈥� to 鈥淐ommunity Engaged Learning,鈥� and what it means for curriculum, equity, and pedagogy.
- that provides an overview of the Faculty Senate decision to retire the term 鈥渟ervice learning鈥� and adopt CEL as the new campus-wide standard.
Course Planning and Student Preparation
Course Planning and Student Preparation
Overview: Course Planning
Designating a course as a Community Engaged Learning (CEL) course at 海角直播 Denver ensures students gain structured, meaningful opportunities to apply academic knowledge through reciprocal engagement with the community. CEL courses intentionally connect coursework to community-identified needs while fostering critical reflection and civic learning.
This guide outlines the timeline and designation process, aligned with 海角直播 Denver’s Modern Campus Curriculum system and updated CEL language.
Overview: Preparing Students for Community Engaged Learning (CEL)
Preparing students for Community Engaged Learning (CEL) early in the semester is essential to ensure ethical, respectful engagement and maximize learning. Well-prepared students are also more likely to contribute meaningfully and avoid unintentionally harming communities. At 海角直播 Denver, CEL preparation is grounded in equity, critical reflection, and reciprocal relationships.
Explore the CEL Toolkit
Questions about CEL?
Contact the CEL Program Manager, Nora Bashir!
Phone: (303) 615-1133
Email: [email protected]
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