Led by Yufeng Wei, Wei Zhang, Jennifer Pax, and Allison Fitzgerald from New Jersey City University, this webinar explores how Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) is transforming STEM education at New Jersey City University (NJCU), one of the oldest Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the State of New Jersey, by leveraging evidence-based, high-impact practices. NJCU’s CEL Framework is defined as a holistic, reciprocal partnership between students, faculty, and community organizations, integrating academic learning with meaningful, real-world experiences. 

During the webinar, presenters will share data from a multi-year, NSF-funded meta-analysis and campus-wide assessment, highlighting positive outcomes in academic performance, civic identity, professional development, and social responsibility. NJCU’s CEL model emphasizes asset-based pedagogy and sustained community partnerships as core best practices. We address practical challenges and provide actionable strategies for building effective CEL courses, including assessment tools, interdisciplinary approaches, and recommendations for faculty and institutional support. Attendees will gain insights into frameworks, impact, and scalable methods for advancing student success and equity in STEM through CEL at HSIs.