Skip Navigation

Public Good work is the opportunity for higher education to play a role in the renewal of public life within communities. Public good happens when the university applies its knowledge and intellectual resources for the purpose of enhancing student learning, faculty research, social capital and community development.

The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL) is committed to Public Good through:

  • The Public Good Fund - supports faculty and staff engaged in innovative public good and community-based research projects that address community-defined needs. 
    Public Good Fund RFP AY2012-2013 
  • Public Good Scholarship - Research, Writing, and Conferences - involves both writing about and presenting DU's public good work both internally and regionally/nationally.
  • Service Learning - active learning that links traditional academics with community service, with opportunities that deepen and expand classroom learning through collaborative engagement with the community.
  • Student Civic Engagement Programs - a spectrum of opportunities for students to engage with the community ranging from introductory volunteerism to long-term community partnerships developing tangible, public work.

To learn more about what DU faculty and students are doing to make our communities better visit our Public Work Portfolio and read our Public Good Newsletter.

Anita Spotlight

Anita Spotlight

Reflects on Public Achivement (PA) on Blog

The goal [of PA] is to create a space for students to discover their power to create tangible change in their community. That includes open discussions about social justice issues like privilege and oppression, as well as certain key activities like one-to-ones, "world as it is/world as it should be", "world cafes" and others from the PA handbook

Manuel Del Real

Manuel Del Real

DU Student, Class of 2009 and 2011

Every time I look at the murals, it gives me great pride as an alumnus to be able to see students make a change...Being a coach has also helped me realize I am the mentor that I used to look up to.

Hava Gordon

Hava Gordon

Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology

Last year, I taught a Service Learning FSEM: Youth Cultures: Inequality, Resistance, and Empowerment. This was the first time teaching my FSEM as a service learning class, and it was an amazing experience. With the help of my wonderful Service Learning Associate, Cameron Lewis, our class partnered with The Spot youth center and Rainbow Alley. Both organizations work to empower teens by providing a safe and creative space for low-income, homeless, and LGBTQ youth. FSEM students joined outreach workers at The Spot on night walks around the city, distributing needed items to homeless youth. Students also participated in consciousness-raising workshops at Rainbow Alley, connecting with Rainbow Alley youth through these workshops.