Community Engaged Learning
About CEL
Community Engaged Learning (CEL) at the University of Utah connects academia with communities to cultivate positive societal impact.
For students, CEL serves as a first stop for those interested in aligning educational experience with community engagement. We teach fundamentals of ethical, quality community engagement (BENN courses) and facilitate two student programs that provide a credential (Certificate) and distinction (Scholars) in community engagement.
For faculty, CEL provides a “one stop shop” to find training, resources, and support. We help the university ensure quality CEL in courses, and bring together those who are already leaders in the field to promote innovation and advancement in societal impact.
For community partners, CEL provides a centralized place to start their journey and connect to other units and programs on campus.
Staff
Megan Medina
Director
Megan, originally from North Dakota, earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. She taught English in China for two years before moving to Utah, where she fell in love with the mountains and completed her Master of Public Administration at the University of Utah. Megan has been working in Community Engaged Learning since 2017. In her role as Director, she supports faculty in integrating community engagement into their courses, facilitates professional development opportunities, administrates the CEL course designation, and manages the CEL Learning Assistant program. Outside of work, Megan enjoys mountain adventures, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Gaëlle Perrier
Student
Programs Manager
Gaëlle, originally from France, earned a Masters in International Law with an emphasis on Human Rights and Humanitarian Action. She worked as a Human Rights officer in various countries before completing a Ph.D. in Political Sociology at the University of Utah. Gaëlle became the Community Engaged Learning Student Programs Manager in 2023. In her role, she oversees the Bennion Community Engaged Scholars program and the Community Engagement Certificate. She focuses on making those programs accessible to all and offering comprehensive support to CEL students as they make community engagement a defining feature of their experience at the U. Outside of work, Gaëlle loves staying engaged in her local community while creating all kind of memories with her family.