Community engagement and service learning have been at the core of SMU’s mission since its founding. The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) is at the nexus of that work, educating, connecting, recruiting, building, and tracking University efforts. We invite you to join us. The CCE is also home to SMU’s Ethnic Health Institute.
We approach community engagement from the perspective of “serving, not saving.” The Center aims to be nimble in its work with the community to address whatever needs are most pressing. We strive to employ an equity lens to community engagement by prioritizing opportunities that support the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Specifically, we advance a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to community engagement that integrates community-centered research, teaching, and learning into all aspects of University life.
View our 2023 Center for Community Engagement & EHI Impact Report Here
The CCE offers:
If you are interested in learning more about any of these events or participating as a volunteer, email Sam Alavi-Irvine, Founding Director of the CCE, at salavi@samuelmerritt.edu.
The Center fosters a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to community engagement that integrates community-centered research, teaching, and learning into all aspects of University life. The CCE aims to be a steadfast partner in creating healthier communities. This is accomplished by fostering holistic and sustained relationships with community partners and educating a future healthcare workforce that is prepared and committed to addressing health inequities and community needs.
The CCE builds on SMU’s extensive legacy of service to the community and reaffirms the University as part of the solution to the community’s most pressing needs by engaging students, staff, faculty, and alumni in this effort.
