Bonner and TCNJ students serve meals at a local soup kitchen during a CEL day

There are four  important facts regarding community engaged learning at TCNJ:  1) it is a mission driven activity; 2) it is a key part of the College’s Liberal Learning program;  3) it adopts a developmental approach for the students; and 4) it follows a capacity-building model with its partners.

Mission Driven:  As noted on earlier pages,  the College endeavors “to be an national exemplar in the education of those who seek to sustain and advance the communities in which they live.”   At a minimum, this calls for students to leave campus to work on some unmet community need or social problem.

Liberal Learning:   TCNJ also believes that educated and enlightened individuals must participate in a series of experiences that promote their scholarly growth, broaden their knowledge of all sectors of human inquiry, and emphasizes civic responsibility; these are the three pillars of general education.  Getting involved is embedded throughout the curriculu.

A Developmental Approach for Students:   The CEL program is divided into two levels, enabling students to progress along a continuum–from awareness, to understanding, to application.    To start, all 1400 first year students are required in to participate in a meaningful experience during their first year on campus.   The vision is that all will return and participate in more advanced class-based projects during their final three undergraduate years.

Capacity-Building for Community Partners:  Finally, the Bonner Center and Scholars enter into deliberate and comprehensive partnerships with local community organizations.  The goal is to identify and address the range of needs of interests of the Center’s partners–from direct service, to research, to planning and resource development, among others–by tapping into the service and community engaged learning resources on campus.