Community-Engaged Learning (CEL-1)

CEL-1: Community Engaged Learning

CEL-1 is an academic requirement that encourages first-year students to meaningfully participate in campus community life as part of Division 1.

Through community engaged learning opportunities students find places of belonging and learn how to be in community. This includes deepening their understanding of themselves, their social identities and issues of race and power.

CEL-1 prepares students for CEL-2, the Division II community engaged learning requirement, which encourages students to address community identified needs in ethical and reciprocal ways.

How to engage with and fulfill CEL-1?

To fulfill CEL-1, students must engage in a minimum of 40 hours of CEL-1 opportunities including 10 hours focused on Race and Power.

The main focus of CEL-1 is becoming an active part of the campus community. This happens in multiple ways: students can join student groups; participate in an on-campus Community Engaged Learning Sites; support their peers with an art installation, research or community project; and so much more! The Race and Power portion of CEL-1 can be fulfilled by participating in Community Days of Learning (10/2/24, 11/14/24, 2/26/25, 4/10/25) and other Hampshire, 5 College and community events that address race and power.

Document & Reflect

Students document and reflect on their CEL-1 experiences on TheHub. Go to the Division I Tab and click on Community Engaged Learning - “Add Activity” in the left column to document and reflect on each CEL-1 activity in this form. Click “CEL-1’s” (in the left column) for a list of all the CEL-1 activities you have completed.

Complete CEL-1

Students must complete their CEL-1 in order to pass Division I. Students talk with their faculty advisor about how they are fulfilling CEL-1 throughout the year. Faculty advisors can see students' CEL-1 documentation and reflection on TheHub and can offer feedback and suggestions during advising meetings.

Students reflect on what they learned throughout CEL-1 in their Division I retrospective essay by addressing the following questions: How did you grow as a member of the Hampshire College community this year? How did your sense of yourself in relation to others grow and change? What understanding and skills did you gain about intersectional approaches to race and power from Community Days of Learning? How did that contribute to your participation in the campus community?

CEL-I Opportunities & Guidance

Looking for CEL-1 opportunities? Connect with one of our on-campus community engaged learning (CEL) sites and look for events & other learning opportunities listed on:

HampEngage
HC Announcements/Intranet
Campus bulletin boards and flyers

On Campus Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Sites are campus-based centers and programs that provide places of belonging for students and support community engaged learning through a wide range of educational and volunteer opportunities. Getting involved with an on-campus CEL site is a great way to fulfill your CEL-1 requirement and begin building the necessary relationships to develop a CEL-2 project!

Check out the full list of on-campus CEL sites below and contact them directly to learn more about how to get involved.

Need Additional Guidance? Talk with your faculty advisor or someone at:

Have more questions? Contact Javiera Benavente (she/her), assistant dean of collaborative and Community Engaged Learning, jbenavente@hampshire.edu