About the CEL

CEL Vision, Mission, and Values

Utah Valley University is a student-centered teaching institution dedicated to building communities of engaged learners by developing its students and employees to be people of integrity who are good stewards of place (their community) and professionally competent in their chosen profession.

Role of the CEL

The UVU Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) promotes opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to participate in the Communities of Engaged Learning Initiative, which consists of all forms of instruction, appropriate research and interaction with the regional community. CEL fosters student cohorts for engaged learning and promotes the active involvement of students in the implementation, practice, and demonstration of actions and activities that develop professional competence, community stewardship (local, regional and global), and personal integrity.

The Executive Director of CEL establishes and maintains relationships with community members that yield networks (local, regional and global) of opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to pursue their collaborative scholarly works that serve community needs; serves as an academic leader and advocate for institutional outreach in collaboration with departments, colleges, schools and other academic units; oversees the management of the institutional Community of Engaged Learning Fund grant program; serves as the administrative support to the Community of Engaged Learning Fund advisory board that determines the grant program criteria and the awarding of grants; champions university and community understanding, support and involvement in the Communities of Engaged Learners Initiative; and coordinates and facilitates collaboration with existing university and community functions and office to support their endeavors as they relate to the CEL initiative.

The Executive Director of CEL reports to the President of the institution and is a member of the central administration.

CEL essential functions and major duties include:

1. Facilitate the collaborative efforts of students, faculty, and staff in partnership with the community to provide opportunities for engagement, learning, teaching, and scholarship that address community and business needs; encourage civic-entrepreneurialism; promote student-centered engaged learning, including but not limited to service-learning endeavors; provide opportunities for student internships and graduate employability, and enhance the reputation of the institution.
2. Ensure the financial stability of the Communities of Engaged Learning Fund and appropriate management, allocation, and accountability for CEL resources according to institutional policies and procedures.
3. Establish criteria for grant awards for the Communities of Engaged Learning Fund in coordination with the CEL advisory board to ensure accountability to the institution and community for each grant award and outcome.
4. Assess and report the effectiveness and impact of the CEL programs and activities annually and implement actions to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of CEL programs and activities.
5. Provide the administrative support to the Communities of Engaged Learning Fund advisory board and ensure balanced representation between institutional and community representatives.
6. Coordinate activities of the CEL with other institutional activities and entities, especially those of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Office of the President, to ensure a unified approach to institutional outreach, economic development, and curricular programs and initiatives.
7. Coordinate information and people of expertise regarding regional issues/concerns related to CEL endeavors; function as a source of communication and access to such information and people of expertise.
8. Present information in an appropriate and articulate manner to large/small groups in a variety of settings.
9. Produce, edit and write professional documents, academic articles, and publications that support the CEL initiative.
10. Oversee and manage the support staff of the CEL.