Partnerships That Make an Impact
Community engagement is a key part of the Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Program’s foundation. We value our community partners and are committed to building collaborative, long-lasting relationships that benefit both our students and the communities they serve.
Since 2019, our network of partners has continued to grow. We appreciate the meaningful learning, mentorship, and professional development opportunities our partners provide to School of Education students.
Become a Partner!
Organizations interested in becoming a CEL partner should contact CEL Program Manager, Sarah Juarez, at sarah.juarez@ucr.edu.
We welcome partnerships with educational organizations that can provide students with meaningful community-engaged learning opportunities while advancing the organization’s goals and supporting the communities it serves.
How partners can get involved
Collaborate on Faculty Research
The CEL team helps connect faculty members and community partners interested in collaborating on research projects as opportunities arise.
Participate in Service-Learning Projects
Community partners may also collaborate with UCR faculty and students on service-learning projects. The CEL team serves as a liaison between faculty members and partners to support the development and coordination of these opportunities.
Offer an Internship Through the CEL Experience
Community partners may offer internships to students participating in the CEL Experience. These internships allow students to apply their academic knowledge, develop professional skills, build relationships within the community, and work toward completing their 40-hour CEL requirement.
The CEL team manages student enrollment and internship matching. Partners are not responsible for independently recruiting students.
Become a CEL Experience Internship Partner
Organizations interested in offering an internship will begin by meeting with the CEL Program Manager to discuss their organization, goals, capacity, and potential internship opportunity. Together, the organization and CEL team will work to establish an experience that is mutually beneficial to the partner, participating students, and the community.
The partnership process includes the following steps:
- Connect with the CEL Team: The organization contacts the CEL Program Manager (sarah.juarez@ucr.edu) to discuss the proposed partnership and internship opportunity.
- Develop the Internship Opportunity: The partner and CEL team work together to define a meaningful internship that aligns with the organization’s needs and provides students with appropriate learning and professional development opportunities.
- Submit an Internship Description: The partner submits a description outlining the internship responsibilities, expectations, qualifications, schedule, location, and any additional requirements.
- CEL Review and Approval: The CEL team reviews the proposed internship to ensure it aligns with the goals and expectations of the CEL Experience.
- Confirm the Internship Description: Once approved, the CEL team and partner finalize the internship description that will be shared with students.
- Complete the Partner Agreement: The partner signs a CEL Partner Agreement that includes the partnership terms and conditions, program expectations, partner and student responsibilities, and the finalized internship description.
Once these steps are complete, the internship may be included among the opportunities available to students applying for the CEL Experience.
The CEL Experience Timeline
Enrollment Round 1 takes place during the summer. Students submit applications and are matched with internship opportunities based on factors such as their preferences, goals, qualifications, availability, transportation, and location.
During the fall quarter, students can attend the CEL Fair, where they can connect with community partners and learn more about available opportunities. Enrollment Round 2 opens after the fair for students who missed the summer enrollment period and includes internships with remaining availability.
Selected students complete orientation and partner onboarding during the fall quarter before beginning their internships in the winter. Internships generally continue through the winter and spring quarters.
Partners provide students with supervision, guidance, mentorship, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the organization throughout the internship.