The Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Fellows program is a professional development seminar that provides an opportunity for selected faculty to integrate community-engaged learning into their teaching and research and while becoming recognized campus leaders in community-engaged learning pedagogy and community engagement. The program aims to integrate the philosophy, pedagogy, and process of community-engaged learning into the MSU academic environment. The fellowship includes a $1,000 faculty development award supported by the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. Any MSU faculty member is eligible to apply. Previous experience with or knowledge of community-engaged learning pedagogy is not required.
Q: What is Community-Engaged Learning (CEL)?
A: Simply put – CEL is a teaching strategy that connects the classroom to the environment beyond it. This connection happens through community engagement (CE), reflection, reciprocal partnerships, and dissemination. It is critical to the success of CEL that students reflect on their experiences as well as engage in a mutually beneficial exchange with an external partner. Students and partners should share knowledge and learn from each other.
Q: What do you mean by external partner?
A: Probably one of the most common misconceptions about CEL is that you have to work with a non-profit organization in order for it to “count.” Some great projects occur in partnership with schools, businesses, or other common interest groups and individuals, though. As MSU’s definition points out, there is more to community than geographical boundaries. There are also great connections to make beyond someone’s tax-exempt status.
Q: Does CEL have to take place within Starkville?
A: No! All types of projects occur throughout the county, Golden Triangle, state, and southeast region. Local projects are more common, but it is not a requirement of CEL.
Q: I have no experience with CEL. Can I apply?
A: Absolutely. We have had CEL Fellows who haven’t tried CEL before but have a passion and/or interest in enhancing their teaching and student learning. The only requirement for an individual to apply is to be an MSU faculty or instructional staff member.
Q: I don’t think my curriculum or research aligns with CEL. Moreover, I don’t know how to align or introduce CEL. How can I find this out?
A: Let’s talk! The easiest way to learn more is to contact the Center for Community-Engaged Learning (CCEL) and have a conversation. Also, reviewing the MSU model of community engagement is informative too. The diagram outlines how CE manifests itself in teaching and learning, service, and research and scholarship. You can view it on CCEL’s website at https://www.ccel.msstate.edu/about/whatis/.
Q: Can any discipline be adapted for a CEL course?
A: Probably not, but CEL has been undertaken successfully across many disciplines – chemical engineering, education, math, agriculture, fashion, architecture, geosciences, communication, food science, philosophy, sociology, graphic design, veterinary medicine, and economics just within our fellowship!
CCEL was excited to welcome the 2020-2021 CEL Fellows for a two week seminar in May 2021. The class met for two weeks to discuss concepts in community engagement, partnership, learning design and scholarship. Faculty represented four academic colleges and five departments.
Dr. Laura Boltz
Assistant Professor
Sociology
Dr. Yan Campbell
Research Associate III *
Food Science, Nutrition, Health Promotion
Dr. Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso
Assistant Professor
English
Dr. Julie Jessop
Professor
Chemical Engineering
Dr. Varun Paul
Assistant Professor
Geosciences
Dr. Brian Pugh
Lecturer
Shackhouls Honors College
Dr. Leah Pylate
Assistant Professor
Food Science, Nutrition, Health Promotion
Dr. Mary Nelson Robertson
Extension Associate III
Food Science, Nutrition, Health Promotion
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 CEL Fellows cohort met online via WebEx in May 2020. This fellowship class represents four academic colleges, eight departments, and the MSU-Meridian campus.
Dr. Chris Ayers
Instructor
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture
Dr. Thu Dinh
Associate Professor
Department of Animal & Dairy Science
Dr. Antonio Gardner
Assistant Professor
Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion
Dr. Austin Himes
Assistant Professor
Department of Forestry
Dr. Ashley White Jones
Assistant Clinical Professor
Meridian Division of Education
Dr. Sarah Lalk
Assistant Clinical Professor
Department of Geosciences
Dr. John Linhoss
Assistant Professor
Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Dr. Molly Nicodemus
Associate Professor
Department of Animal & Dairy Science
Dr. Saeed Rokooei
Assistant Professor
Department of Building Construction Science
Mr. Bob Swanson
Instructor/Lab Coordinator
Department of Physics & Astronomy
The 2018-2019 CEL Fellows program took place in May 2018. Due to high interest, the inaugural class consisted of 15 members. Funding support from the Provost was essential in expanding the class size. Members spent 3 weeks learning ways to incorporate community-engaged learning into current or new courses. As part of the fellowship, each fellow received a $1000 stipend and submitted an application to have their courses designated as CEL. Fellows will teach their redesigned courses during the 2018-2019 year.
Ms. Silvina Lopez Barrera
Assistant Professor
School of Architecture
Dr. Wen-Hsing Cheng
Associate Professor
Department of Food Science, Nutrition, Health Promotion
Dr. Renee Clary
Professor
Department of Geosciences
Dr. Amelia Fox
Instructor
Department of Plant & Soil Sciences
Dr. Kristin Javorsky
Assistant Professor
Department of Curriculum, Instruction & Special Education
Dr. Melanie Loehwing
Assistant Professor
Department of Communication
Ms. Christina Loftin
Animal Health Technician
School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Dong Meng
Assistant Professor
Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering
Dr. Thessalia Merivaki
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Ms. Suzanne Powney
Associate Professor
Department of Art
Dr. Angela Savage
Instructor& Director
Social Work – MSU Meridian
Dr. Holli Seitz
Assistant Professor
Department of Communication
Dr. Ashley Vancil-Leap
Instructor
Department of Sociology, Gender Studies Program
Ms. Kimberly Walters
Instructor
Department of Mathematics & Statistics
Dr. Joe Witt
Associate Professor
Department of Philosophy & Religion
Learn more about CEL Fellows 2018 class here.
