CEL for Students
CEL Designated Courses
Over 200 CEL courses available. Check out Other Course Attributes in the General Catalog.
Bennion Community Engaged Scholars
Join the Bennion Community Engaged Scholars to be the change you hope to see in your communities and boost your degree with one of only 4 official transcript designations at the U!
Community Engagement Certificate
Declare a Community Engagement Certificate and lead the change through a project designed and implemented along with a community partner and a faculty mentor!
Elevating You
CEL programs are designed to help you develop your civic competencies.
Personal Awareness
Dynamic awareness of an individual's sense of place in society
Societal Awareness
Critical understanding of social issues and how they are addressed in society
Values
Expressed desires and beliefs related to social responsibility and civic commitment
Habits
Development of regular behaviors and practices aiming at creating positive social change
Skills
Development of necessary skills to ethically engage with communities, such as empathy, openness and collaboration
Highlights
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Student Highlight: Akila Chalapathi
Akila Chalapathi, a fourth-year student at the University of Utah and a Bennion Scholar for three years, is collaborating with the International Refugee Committee (IRC) and Dr. James Bekker from the School of Dentistry for her Capstone project.
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Student Highlight: Eliana Massey
Eliana Massey, a student in their final year at the University of Utah majoring in Philosophy of Science and museum studies, has been working on a capstone project developing a curriculum on culturally significant plants and foods that connect the Pacific Islands and the Americas for Pacific Heritage Academy (PHA), a K-8 charter school in Rose Park.
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Bennion Scholars Highlight: Xitlally Barajas
Xitlally Barajas wanted to join the Bennion Scholars program because they wanted to learn more about social justice.
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Student Spotlight: Lauren Webb
Lauren Webb did historical research and created a virtual exhibit on Utah women's experiences during World War I. The exhibit is being utilized by Better Days, a nonprofit that creates and disseminates educational material on Utah women's history.
Align your educational experience with community engagement
Community Engaged Learning Leadership Team
The Community Engaged Learning Leadership Team (CELLT) is essential to the success of the CEL Student Programs at the U.
CELLT members work closely with the CEL Student Programs Manager to:
Support current Scholars and Certificate students through peer-mentorship.
Cultivate a sense of community in the programs.
Promote the programs across campus and in high schools.
Assist with overall program development and administrative needs.
CEL Student Leaders
Although each CELLT member has a specific focus area, everyone supports each others’ work to ensure program success.
Interested in becoming a CEL leader?
Application for the 2025/2026 CELLT will open in February