Community Engaged Learning (CEL)
Community Engaged Learning (CEL)
Learning through real-world experience
At UCR, we believe that the best learning happens when theory meets practice, especially when that practice makes a difference. That’s the heart of Community Engaged Learning (CEL): a hands-on, collaborative approach where students tackle real societal issues together with instructors, peers, citizens, and community partners. Many courses at UCR contain a CEL element.
In CEL projects within a course, you work on a challenge that has direct social relevance, whether that is in education, sustainability, public health, technology, or beyond. You will engage with different perspectives, apply academic knowledge in practical ways, and see the impact of your work outside the classroom.
CEL is built around three core values:
- Community Engagement: You work on real scientific or social questions with meaning for the community—often in direct collaboration with citizens.
- Reciprocity: Everyone involved—students, instructors, and community members—contributes to and benefits from the experience.
- Reflection: You’ll actively reflect on your work, connecting what you do with what you learn. This shapes your personal identity, sharpens your academic thinking, and helps you grow as an independent learner.
What CEL looks like at UCR:
What CEL looks like at UCR:
Rhetoric in Action
In this course, UCR students use their knowledge of public speaking, debate, and storytelling to empower local primary school children. After exploring the theory and practice of rhetoric, students design and lead activities at Het Element, a nearby school—building confidence and communication skills in both themselves and the children they teach.
The World on Walcheren
The World on Walcheren
Led by Dr. Helle Hochscheid, students explored the personal and historical journeys behind objects found on Walcheren, uncovering stories of migration, memory, and connection. Their work culminated in Wereld op Walcheren, a published book that weaves together cultures, histories, and generations. As one student put it, “The engagement with the community makes me feel more connected to this place, its history, and its people.”
Virtual International Collaboration Project
Virtual International Collaboration Project
In this globally connected CEL course, UCR students team up with Native students from Algoma University in Canada—on the grounds of the former Shingwauk Indian Residential School—to research education, assimilation, and cultural genocide. They then collaborate with students from NYU’s Interactive Media Arts (IMA) program to create a storytelling product that educates a global audience. This project combines historical inquiry, creative expression, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Through CEL, you don’t just learn about the world, you become an active part of it. Whether working with local schools or international partners, you gain valuable experience, contribute to meaningful change, and connect your education to the real world in powerful ways.