Community-Engaged Learning

Students

The OCEL works with students and student organizations to assist them in developing connections and partnerships with Georgetown’s non-profit organizations. The goal of our office is to encourage students to move beyond Southwestern’s campus and be active citizens within the community through volunteering, direct action, sustained projects, advocacy, and engagement.

  • What is community-engaged learning? 

    Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) encourages students to apply academic skills and knowledge to address a community need, issue, or problem and to enhance student learning. Typically, most of the community-engaged learning partnerships take place in and around Georgetown.

    CEL is a form of teaching and learning in which students engage in structured service and action that is responsive to community needs, provides mutually beneficial experience for students and community partners, and is designed to include critical analysis and reflection linking service to academic, cluster, and discipline-specific learning goals.

  • How can I find a list of community-engaged learning classes? 

    Search Self-Service- Under additional course types, click Community-Engaged Learning.  

  • How can I get paid to work with nonprofit organizations? 

    Apply to be a CELSA! Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Associates support community-engaged learning, both on and off campus. CEL Associates participate in ongoing training and reflection sessions with the OCEL and develop skills in project management, communication, facilitation, and community-building.

    If you are interested in participating in the CELSA program, check out current CELSA job postings on Handshake or reach out for support (Dr. Jessica S Hower: howerj@southwestern.edu).