Community Engaged Learning
Community Engaged Learning is comprised of experiences which are integrated with course materials, activities, and directed reflection that enable students to practice social and civic responsibility while deepening disciplinary knowledge and skills. CEL highlights mutually responsible relationships among faculty, students, and community partners, using reflection as a means of holistic learning. CEL speaks to applying learning through direct engaged experiences or project-based courses to needs in the surrounding region, with a special focus on the communities near Lewis. This heightens students’ awareness about their environment beyond campus boundaries. By encouraging students and faculty to work closely with the community, the priorities of community organizations are addressed while students become more informed and motivated agents of change. These opportunities are structured around community-identified needs that align with course objectives and met through engaging with community partners who serve as co-educators of course curricula alongside faculty. CEL takes a different approach than the traditional classroom structure which may concentrate more on lecture, papers, and tests.
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The Mission
The Office of Community Engaged Learning at Lewis University promotes the common good through the development of academic opportunities to apply learning by meeting real-world needs. In collaboration with community agencies and faculty members, students engage with the community through service, explore realities of justice and injustice, and are transformed by reflecting on their experiences in light of course and program objectives.
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The Vision
Community Engaged Learning, a recognized component of educational excellence, is part of the scholarly culture of Lewis University. Through the experience of service learning, students engage with the community through service explore realities of justice and injustice and reflect on their experiences in light of course objectives and resources. Service learning within local, national, and global communities is transformative.
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