Center for Community Engagement

Community engagement and service learning are 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. 

Create Healthier Communities

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.

Engagement in Action

View our 2023 Center for Community Engagement & EHI Impact Report Here

  • Field trips, simulation labs, and events for underrepresented students interested in health careers
  • Free health services and health education in low-income communities
  • Clinical placements that support the medically underserved 
  • Student volunteers at free clinics and vaccine sites 
  • Lectures and talks by our expert faculty and leaders 
  • And much more
  • Special Olympics Family Health Forum (April 6th)
  • Indigenous Red Market (April 6th)
  • Black Women's Health Forum (April 18th)
  • OUSD Field Trip (April 19th)
  • Soledad Field Trip (April 22nd) 
  • Peninsula Bridge Career Day (April 25th) 
  • Sacramento Health Professions High School Open House (April 25th) 
  • OUSD Career Day (April 26th) 
  • Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Fair (May 4th) 
  • Community Reads Event- Cross Cultural Medicine (May 14th) 

If you are interested in learning more about any of these events or participating as a volunteer, contact Director Sam Alavi-Irvine.

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.

Nursing student does blood pressure check at Lake Merritt health fair.

Local Outreach

Students serve residents in need through partnerships with area nonprofits, shelters, schools, and clinics.
 

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Nurse with baby and mother

Global Outreach

Travel around the world for research and volunteer opportunities, including medical service trips.

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Recent News

Tavi Baker

Associate Director, Center for Community Engagement & Manager, Ethnic Health Institute