Center for Community Engaged Learning Highlights
For the 2025-2026 academic year, there were
26,187 student community-engaged learning registrations
Community Engagement Scholars Program
The Michigan State University Community Engagement Scholars Program (CESP) reached a significant milestone during the 2025-2026 academic year, marking a decade of sustained, reciprocal partnerships between students and community organizations. This initiative, offered by the Center for Community Engaged Learning in partnership with the MSU Office of the President, has hosted more than 100 student scholars since its inception in 2016. This year, the scholar cohort continued its mission of preparing student leaders to engage with social issues through capacity-building projects ranging from community and economic development to advocacy and direct service.
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CCEL Executive Director Honored for Commitment to Community Engaged Learning
In February 2026, CCEL Executive Director Renee Miller Zientek received the Nadinne Cruz Community Engagement Professional Award from Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to higher purposes in public education. This award, given annually to one recipient, celebrates the ethical leadership and advocacy demonstrated by community engagement professionals.
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Championing Community-Engaged Learning at MSU and Beyond
For a third consecutive year, Michigan State University has been named No. 1 among public universities for service-learning by U.S. News and World Report, rising to No. 6 overall. This recognition for service-learning, known as community-engaged learning at MSU, shows the university’s commitment to integrating community partnerships with classroom instruction to enrich the student learning experience, teaching civic and social responsibility, and strengthening communities. As one facilitator of community-engaged learning on our campus, CCEL is proud to celebrate this accomplishment with all of the students, faculty, and staff who earned this award.
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Expanding Relationships With Our Community Partner Network
Community partnerships are key to how CCEL promotes civic and social responsibility to Spartans. Our partners serve as co-educators by welcoming students and training them to connect with the communities they support. To maintain these relationships, CCEL provides opportunities throughout the year for partners to connect with us and asks for feedback to improve our communication strategies.
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Transportation Support Awards: The 810 Flint Forward Tour
As part of our commitment to removing barriers to participation in community-engaged learning, CCEL proudly offers Transportation Support Awards (TSAs) year-round to faculty, staff, and registered student organizations. These awards, sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, have funded travel for over 1,900 students and counting to connect with community partners across Michigan and beyond.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
MSU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) had an excellent year as a community-oriented professional development program. This registered student organization, co-advised by the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) and the Broad College of Business, trains student volunteers to seek IRS certification and prepare tax returns for clients earning less than $69,000 per year.
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