There are many ways to integrate community activities into a course. We recognize that CEL extends beyond traditional service-learning and may include a field experience, practicum, internship, capstone, research project, clinical, co-op, or co-curricular activity. See our philosophy page for specific definitions of service-learning, community engagement, etc. The experience may be a direct service/activity, or research, or other off-site work that benefits a community partner. Community Partners may be public, community-based, private, an industry business or academic organization working at the individual, neighborhood and city, regional, state, national, or international levels.

Courses with the CEL attribute must contain the following components:

• Learning Outcomes: The community engagement activity is tied to one or more course learning outcomes.
• Application and Integration: Guided by their instructor and working with a community partner, students engage with a community issue (local, regional or global), integrating theory and practice.
• Reciprocity: The community experience seeks to offer value to the community partner as well as to the students.
• Reflection and assessment: Students intentionally participate in reflection on the community experience (ethical and civic dimensions), the discipline and themselves.

To apply the CEL attribute to a new or existing course, fill out the request form or contact the CEL Director. Courses can carry the tag just once or every time they are offered.

Campus Compact   

A comprehensive site that includes resources for service-learning practitioners, including faculty, presidents, administrators, and students. Includes model programs and sample syllabi, a calendar of events, extensive links to web resources, job listings, news, information on grants and fellowships, legislation, a special section for community colleges, and much more.

National: http://www.compact.org

Iowa: https://iacampuscompact.org/

Break Away: The Alternative Breaks Connection
http://alternativebreaks.org/
Break Away is a national nonprofit organization that promotes the development of quality alternative break programs through training, assisting, and connecting campuses and communities.