Each year, more than 180 courses at Seattle U involve students in partnerships with nonprofits, schools, or government agencies. These Community Engaged Learning (CEL) courses create thousands of hours of benefit to Seattle Communities and provide transformational learning opportunities for Seattle U graduates.
The Sundborg Center for Community Engagement (CCE) defines community engaged learning as a credit-bearing educational experience that applies course material to contribute to equitable solutions of issues impacting one or more communities. CEL courses include reflection activities that integrate students' learning across classroom and community contexts.
Community Engaged Learning (CEL) can take many forms for community partners, and the time commitment involved will vary depending on the nature of the course. CCE works with community partners and faculty members to scope partnerships and determine when CEL courses are a good fit for an organization’s needs and priorities.
CEL courses take place across Seattle U’s campus and courses in every school and college. Whether you are interested in research, infrastructure improvement, marketing support, or tutoring support, simply working with student volunteers, or another type of opportunity, CCE staff are here to listen and can connect you. Contact Nicholas Stubbs to get started.
Students work with an organization for a set period of time, usually 18 hours (or 2-3 hours per week) for the quarter. Faculty members provide preparation, discussion, assignments, and reflection to help students connect their experiences with course content.
Students work on a project that meets an organization's need and enables them to practice skills related to their academic discipline. Past projects include research, data analysis, video production, graphic design, marketing strategies, structural design and analysis, software & hardware development and many other types of work.