Office of Community-Engaged Learning | The University of Vermont

The Community-Engaged Learning Office (CELO) is UVM's home for academic service-learning. Our goal is to help students apply their learning on behalf of the many communities connected to UVM.

Instructor assisting students in a colorful community learning space.

Community-Engaged Learning Courses

Each year more than 100 community-engaged learning courses are offered at UVM. These courses create meaningful partnerships among students, community partners, and faculty to provide students with hands-on learning in real-world situations while addressing community priorities.

Beauty shot of Old Mill building on the University of Vermont campus.

Course Designation

Roughly 130 courses each year are designated as Service Learning (SL) or Civic Learning (CL) on the Schedule of Courses. View criteria and forms.

UVM faculty seated outside in a shaded courtyard, working on assignments.

Faculty Fellows

The Faculty Fellows for Community-Engaged Learning program offers a cohort of faculty and staff from a range of disciplines the opportunity to explore community-engaged teaching. Throughout, faculty have opportunities to plan and workshop their own course ideas with peers and mentors.

A TA points out features in a snowy forest during a winter field study.

Service Learning TAs

SLTAs assist faculty with the community-engaged component of a course, and help students connect their service or community-engaged work to the learning goals of the course. SLTAs might coordinate community partners, facilitate discussion and critical reflection, or assist with project management.

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Workshops for Faculty

CELO offers workshops for faculty (whether experienced in or new to community-engaged teaching), as well as for departments and other academic units. We also offer visits and in-course workshops for students once a course is established, on topics such as critical reflection and transferable skills.

Faculty member talking with students in a classroom during a small group discussion.

In-Class Workshops

CELO offers workshops for faculty (whether experienced in or new to community-engaged teaching), as well as for departments and other academic units. We also offer visits and in-course workshops for students once a course is established, on topics such as critical reflection and transferable skills.

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Community Partners

Community-engaged learning courses can offer technical, logistical, analytical, educational, design, or clinical support to community partners. CELO works with community partners to create reciprocal learning opportunities that address their needs and priorities.

Mentor smiling and talking with a student at a computer lab.

Resources

CELO offers resources such as sample syllabi, partnership agreements, critical reflections tools, and other supports to help faculty build reciprocal community partnerships and implement their community-engaged courses more effectively. We also maintain a comprehensive Resource Library in our office

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Awards and Showcase

Every year, CELO recognizes outstanding faculty, students, and community partners for their work in creating meaningful and community-engaged learning opportunities for students that benefit communities in Vermont and beyond.

CELO News and Stories

Showcasing Excellence in Community-Engaged Learning

Mindful Outreach

Board of Trustees Hears Center for Community News’s National Strategy for Bolstering Vital Coverage

First-Year CEMS Students Showcase Innovation and Teamwork in Civic Learning Projects

Working to Restore a Brighter Future