Frequently Asked Questions

North Central has a website page with a long list of possible community partners to choose from. The list can be found here.

Typically the assignment includes 15 total hours of community service outside of class hours. Some professors will include some class time to go volunteer or work on the project aspect of the assignment.

The best way to answer this question is you get what you put in to your CEL experience. If you immerse yourself in the community and go in to your experience with a positive attitude, then you will have a meaningful CEL experience and it will trend on the more fun side!

CEL puts a much larger focus on community and reflection than volunteer work does. While doing volunteer work, you may be helping a certain community, but CEL seeks to immerse you in a community and help you both understand and broaden your sense of civic responsibility.

It all depends on the class! Some classes have students find their own community partner and set up time within their schedule to engage with them, and others have community partners already set and students may engage with them during class time. However, if you have a great idea, talk to your professor! The CEL experience is for YOU, and it all depends what you make of it.

The first step to take if you are having trouble or are not enjoying your CEL course is to immediately contact your Professor. By communicating with your Professor you can express your opinions and frustrations that your currently enduring with your CEL experience. Going forward you and your Professor may be able to work something out in which you can figure out a different route to go about finishing the course. Don't Hold Back! Make sure you express these opinions to your Professor because it's very important for future CEL courses as they can be changed and improved!