Welcome Faculty and Staff!

The MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) supports university faculty and academic staff across all colleges and majors in creating course-based community engaged learning opportunities. Community-engaged learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community partnerships with instruction and critical reflection to enrich the student learning experience, teach civic and social responsibility, and strengthen communities. Implementation strategies range from direct service to advocacy to research to philanthropy, and more, which means no shortage of ways students can meaningfully engage with communities to explore social issues.

Email the CCEL Academic Programs Team to discuss ideas, plans, and or partnership support:

Michelle Snitgen, msnitgen@msu.edu
Stephanie Brewer, sbrewer@msu.edu

Hooked on Community Engaged Learning: Consultation and Coffee

Connect over coffee with MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) staff to ask questions and to collaboratively brainstorm as you shape or enhance course-based community engaged learning experiences. Conversations may center on course design examples; community partnerships; developing syllabi; managing logistics; orienting students to enter communities with an asset-based perspective; or considering a variety of reflection strategies. Dedicate time to think and create, and leave with myriad resources, tools, and ideas.

All sessions will be held at Hooked Bookstore in East Lansing, in groups of four or less. Click below on a date (or two!) that works for you and indicate which 45 minute timeslot you prefer between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon. We hope to see you soon!

• Thursday, September 24th, 2026
• Wednesday, October 28th, 2026
• Friday, December 11th, 2026
• Thursday, January 14th, 2027
• Wednesday, February 17th, 2027
• Friday, April 9th, 2027

Set up an alternate time by contacting the CCEL Academic Programs Team:

Michelle Snitgen, msnitgen@msu.edu
Stephanie Brewer, sbrewer@msu.edu

Community-Engaged Partnerships and Emergent Strategy: From Theory to Practice

Complete a short interest questionnaire

The Fundamentals of Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning: From Theory to Practice learning community, hosted by Stephanie Brewer and Michelle Snitgen from the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL), offers a “back-to-the-basics” space for faculty/ practitioners to visit (or revisit) the essential pillars of the field, such as syllabus design, partnership development, and critical reflection. Each month, exemplar faculty, community partners, and/or students will present their work or “problems of practice” to lead members in collaborative discussion and shared learning. By bridging foundational theory with real expertise, this community fosters a supportive network to enhance the quality and impact of community-engaged teaching and learning across MSU. Open to all faculty, academic staff, and instructors, new to or experienced with community-engaged teaching and learning.

Complete the interest form or connect with Michelle Snitgen, msnitgen@msu.edu, and Stephanie Brewer, sbrewer@msu.edu if you are interested in hearing more!