Deadlines
Fall classes: April 15
Spring classes: November 15
Summer classes: March 15*
*as funding allows
Having a Community Engaged Learning Assistant (CELA) can help to facilitate a consistent community-engaged learning experience for students enrolled in the course and community partners.
If awarded, your CELA can support your teaching in these ways:
- Articulating the purpose of community-engaged learning to students and community partners.
- Helping prepare students and community partners to work with each other.
- Assisting faculty with identification, coordination, and communication with community partners throughout the semester.
- Providing ongoing communication, technical assistance, and problem-solving for both partners and students.
- Developing and/or assisting in developing the plan for reflection and assisting with reflection activities.
- Coordinating community partner evaluations.
Courses that successfully apply for CELA funding receive an award based on class enrollment and availability of funds.
- For qualifying classes with <25 students, a $900 award for a 0.75 CELA
- For qualifying classes of 25-74 students, one full-time CELA position is funded at $1250
- For classes larger than 75 students, multiple CELA positions can be funded on an as-needed basis as funds are available.
Eligibility
For Faculty: 1) instructors interested in developing a community-engaged learning course by “test teaching” it, and 2) instructors who teach a CEL-designated class may apply for a CELA award.
For Students: Instructors may select an undergraduate or graduate student for their CELA. Prior community-engaged learning coursework is highly preferred, but not mandatory. The CEL office can help you identify a student to serve as your CELA. In this case, preference will be given to students in the Bennion Scholars Program or the Community Engagement Certificate, which helps students apply their academic knowledge to community issues.
Please note:FERPA regulations require that students who grade student work must complete FERPA review prior to grading.
Program Support
Students hired as CELAs are invited to join a canvas course, complete training, and asked to submit two reflections during the semester. CELAs and course instructors can contact the Community Engaged Learning and Scholarship staff to talk through ideas or issues.
Contact Megan Medina if you have questions.