Who We Are

UMass CESL

The university's mission is to provide an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the commonwealth, the nation, and the world. 

The mission of UMass Civic Engagement and Service-Learning (CESL) is to promote learning for lifelong, democratic engagement, partnering with communities on and off campus to work collectively for a more just society. 

We support the UMass mission in two ways: 

  • By engaging students in a curriculum that includes significant public work—UMass CESL deepens our students' education and prepares them for lives of active engagement. 
  • By deploying the creative energy of students and faculty to address community needs and aspirations in our region, our state, and beyond. We provide resources that improve people's lives.