Community Engaged Learning (CEL) at MSU Denver

Faculty Toolkit & Resource Hub

Welcome, Faculty!

This toolkit is designed to support MSU Denver faculty who are exploring or actively teaching with Community Engaged Learning (CEL). Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your approach, you’ll find practical tools, templates, and research-backed strategies to enrich your teaching and student learning. 

The Faculty Engagement & Experiential Learning (FE&EL) team is available to partner with you in aligning CEL with your course goals, building community partnerships, and integrating critical reflection and assessment practices. 

Course Designation Shift from SL to CEL

• The CEL designation replaces the former “Service Learning (SL)” label, effective Fall 2026. This update
  • Requires faculty to update syllabi and course objectives
    
  • Includes no new MCC approval if previously designated as SL
  • Allows for integration of new CEL Student-Based Learning Outcomes (SBLOs) during the Fall 2027/Spring 2028 curriculum cycle
  • Includes a Curriculum Pause Advisory to streamline this batch transition. The CEL team is available to support updates and ensure alignment with institutional goals during this pause to curriculum changes.

Additional readings for the SL to CEL transition

• The CEL White Paper is MSU’s guiding document on the shift from “Service Learning” to “Community Engaged Learning,” and what it means for curriculum, equity, and pedagogy. 
• The Early Bird wrote an article that provides an overview of the Faculty Senate decision to retire the term “service learning” and adopt CEL as the new campus-wide standard.