CCEL + Community
Connecting communities with UBC faculty and students to work on issues that impact society today.
Our work is focused on bringing community organizations, with their diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences, together with faculty and students to approach complex societal challenges. We do this by working collaboratively with campus and community partners on program and initiatives, both on and off campus
Project and Partnership Development
Community organizations interested in developing projects that connect with UBC students and Faculty can receive support and guidance to scope, develop, implement, and support community-based experiences for students.
Project proposals are accepted throughout the year. CCEL can also assist applicants with developing a project’s alignment to organizational priorities, student learning outcomes, and community value.
Looking for UBC student volunteers?
Learn more about the work we can do within your community.
1,450+
Community and faculty members
have collaborated with the centre
1,500+
Community-based projects
were supported by the centre
* Totals from 2015-2017 academic year
17,000+
UBC Students
connected with community-based experiences
Our community engagement team is a resource for community organizations.
Together, we share knowledge, build on ideas and move them forward in collaboration with students and instructors.
Susan Grossman
Director
Susan provides leadership to support excellence in educational consulting and community engagement. She ensures that CCEL holds the requisite expertise to enable collaborations between UBC and community partners directed at resolving complex, community-based challenges. Working in partnership with senior administrators – Deans, Associate Deans, and Department Heads – Susan identifies how to leverage resources and assets at CCEL and the University to create, implement, and evaluate sustainable programs that engage students in deep partnership with community members and organizations.
- Holds a Certificate in Social Impact Strategy and is skilled in the methodological approaches valuable in driving toward impact
- Previously worked at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, and Reed College
- Served as the Director of the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) since 2011
Yusuf Alam
Associate Director
At CCEL, Yusuf works in partnership with community groups, students, faculty members and UBC leadership to develop strategies to address complex social issues. He drives community partnership development for CCEL, develops university-side systems that promote the continued engagement of the university community, oversees collaborative program development, and leads the strategic implementation of initiatives.
- Over 20 years of civic leadership, activism and professional application.
- Experienced community development practitioner with a record of achievement including award-winning transformations on food, health, and livelihood issues across governments and communities in Canada and internationally.
Angela Han
Engagement Advisor
[Bio]