Community Engaged Learning

Community-engaged learning is an experiential approach to teaching and learning that links academic study and community-engaged work so that each is strengthened—and both are transformed.

In Community-Engaged Learning courses, students work alongside community partners on projects and activities that enhance their learning and contribute to positive social impact.

Characteristics of Community-Engaged Learning Courses:

• Rigorous academic learning
• Meaningful and appropriate community-engaged project work that meets community-identified needs
• Guided critical reflection
• Reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations

In addition to being mindful of "best practices" that have been developed nationally in the academic service-learning movement, our work flows from the Jesuit Catholic educational mission of Fairfield University that calls for the dynamic integration of academic excellence, social responsibility, and faith that promotes justice.

Our Team

Advisory Committee

The Community-Engaged Learning Advisory Committee was established in Spring 2006. The purpose of the committee is to help develop and guide the vision of Service Learning at Fairfield University. Advisory committee members are also committed to supporting and consulting with colleagues who want to integrate Service Learning practice into their respective courses and programming.

Center for Social Impact

Melissa Quan, director of the Center for Social Impact
Andrea Canuel, associate director for Community-Engaged Learning
Ashley Byun, faculty chair of Community-Engaged Learning; Assistant Professor, Biology