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About Us
Community-Engaged Learning is an experiential approach to teaching and learning that links academic study and community-engaged work so that each is strengthened—and both are transformed.
Characteristics of Community-Engaged Learning:
- Rigorous academic learning
- Meaningful and appropriate community-engaged project work that meets community-identified needs
- Guided critical reflection
- Reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations
Community-Engaged Learning at Fairfield University is committed to solidarity and collaboration with people who are marginalized. We work to develop community partnerships that are based in mutuality and reciprocity. Through these partnerships, students engage in community service that includes substantial direct contact with low-income residents, social service agency clients, the elderly, public school students, or hospital/clinic patients. They serve as interns and consultants, and support personnel.
In addition to being mindful of "best practices" that have been developed nationally in the academic service-learning movement, our work flows from the Jesuit Catholic educational mission of Fairfield University that calls for the dynamic integration of academic excellence, social responsibility, and faith that promotes justice.
Community-Engaged Learning Programs provides support for
Our Team

Andrea Canuel
Community-Engaged Learning
Center for Social Impact

Ashley Byun
Associate Professor
Biology
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Advisory Committee
The Community-Engaged Learning Advisory Committee was established in Spring 2006. The purpose of the committee is to help develop and guide the vision of Service Learning at Fairfield University. Advisory committee members are also committed to supporting and consulting with colleagues who want to integrate Service Learning practice into their respective courses and programming.
Center for Social Impact
Melissa Quan, Director of the Center for Social Impact
Andrea Canuel, Associate Director for Community-Engaged Learning
Ashley Byun, Faculty Chair of Community-Engaged Learning; Assistant Professor, Biology
Academic Division
Office of the Provost
Jocelyn Boryczka, Associate Vice Provost for Scholarly, Creative, and Community Engagement
Jennifer Ewald, Associate Vice Provost, Global Strategy
College of Arts & Sciences
Michael Andreychik, Psychology
Elizabeth Boquet, English; Director, Writing Center
Judy Primavera, Psychology
Tom Sobocinski, English Writing
School of Education and Human Development
Robert Hannafin, Dean
Stephanie Storms, Associate Dean
Dolan School of Business
Mark LeClair, Economics and Director of the Masters in Public Administration
Vishnu Vinekar, Information Systems & Operations Management
William Vasquez Mazariegos, Economics
Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies
Jessica Planas, Nursing
Center for Academic Excellence
Emily Smith, Director of Mentoring
DiMenna-Nyselius Library
Barbara Ghilardi, Reference Librarian & Interim Instruction Coordinator
Student Affairs
Katie Byrnes, Campus Ministry
Nicole Heller, Assistant Director, Office of Student Engagement
Ophelia Rowe-Allen, Associate Dean of Students, Director of Residence Life and Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs
Community Partners
Edith Cassidy, Burroughs Community Center
Bob Francis, RYASAP
Anne Gribbon, School Volunteer Association
Courses & Immersion Opportunities
Faculty Resources
Student Opportunities
Community Partners