FR OM THE DIR ECTOR
Dr. Cade Smith Director
In 2013, the Center for the Advancement of Service-
of communities across our nation and around the
Learning Excellence (CASLE) was created as a
globe. By engaging scholars with the social and
partnership between Mississippi State University
civil contexts and with the human condition of their
Extension and the Division of Academic Affairs with
subjects of study, community-engaged learning
the purpose of supporting MSU faculty, staff, and
allows scholars to bring curriculum into the lived
students and community partners in designing
experience. Bringing learning to life for MSU
service-learning projects. In 2016, the Division of
scholars and new value to communities through
Student Affairs joined the partnership to capture
mutually beneficial partnerships that integrate MSU
synergies between the Office of Student Leadership
classrooms and communities is the mission of CCEL.
and Community Engagement and CASLE. In Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the After taking time to analyze the history and processes
Professoriate, the authors explain that the scholarship
of CASLE; listen to the needs of our community
of application (or engagement) undergirds the
agencies, faculty, staff, and students; and consider
land-grant mission. By moving toward engagement,
future opportunities for our stakeholders, we started
scholars ask several questions including, “How can
building on the successes of CASLE. Firstly, we
knowledge be responsibly applied to consequential
simplified the service-learning course S-designation
problems? How can it be helpful to individuals as
application for faculty. Secondly, we embraced a
well as institutions? …Can social problems themselves
philosophy of service to MSU faculty and community
define an agenda for scholarly investigation?” These
agencies by functioning as problem solvers, co-
questions reflect the foundation of community-
creators, and resource providers. Finally, to more
engaged learning. When the scholarship of
accurately reflect the diversity of partnerships and
application is combined with the scholarship of
approaches to community-engaged learning at MSU
discovery, integration, and teaching, MSU’s trifold
and better align with Mississippi State’s community
mission of service, research, and learning reaches its
engagement framework (http://www.servicelearning.
full potential.
msstate.edu/about/whatis/), we changed our name to the Center for Community-Engaged Learning
If you are a community member, faculty member,
(CCEL).
student, or staff member of Mississippi State and have an idea for a community-engaged learning
The 19th Century philosopher, Herbert Spencer
program or course, please contact the CCEL staff. We
said, “The great aim of education is not knowledge
would love to visit with you, explore your ideas, and
but action.” This quote captures the opportunity and
work with you to build the partnerships that can bring
responsibility that higher education holds to educate,
your idea to life.
enlighten, and empower tomorrow’s leaders who will drive the social, educational, and economic progress
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