What's Happening with Community-Engaged Learning at the U?
The Center for Community-Engaged Learning is preparing for Fall 2026 while continuing to support direct service and project-based community-engaged learning opportunities. As part of this work, CCEL is beginning a phased transition to MConnect, a new engagement platform that will support Community-Engaged Learning courses. CCEL will continue supporting the current CEL Course Portal and spreadsheet-based processes through December 2026, with MConnect fully launching Spring 2027.
What Is MConnect?
MConnect is built on GivePulse , a web-based volunteer and engagement management platform. It is used extensively in higher education and non-profits across the country. MConnect is being used across UMN system campuses for hosting volunteer opportunities, internships, and community-engaged learning.
On the U of M Twin Cities campus, MConnect will allow community partners to share opportunities, connect with University of Minnesota faculty and students, and support students in tracking hours for direct placements.
What This Means for Community Partners
- Community partners do not need to make an immediate change for Fall 2026.
- For fall semester, community partners may continue using the current CEL Course Portal if it has been working well for your organization. Partners who have already transitioned to spreadsheets may continue with that approach.
- Direct service opportunities, where students engage with an organization and log hours, may continue using the CEL Course Portal or spreadsheet-based processes for Fall 2026.
- Project-based community-engaged learning, where students complete a project or deliverable rather than logging hours, will continue to be supported based on faculty discretion rather than tracked in the CEL Course Portal or MConnect.
- Community partners will need to have a free GivePulse account for their organization. There is no cost to community partners for MConnect use connected to CCEL-supported courses and partnerships. The MConnect support team can work with community partners on setting up an account.
What This Means for Faculty
- Faculty do not need to make an immediate change for Fall 2026 unless they are participating as an early adopter.
- CCEL will continue supporting direct service and project-based community-engaged learning opportunities this fall.
- Faculty may continue using the current CEL Course Portal if it is useful for their course. Faculty and community partners who have already moved to spreadsheets may continue using that process.
CCEL will continue supporting direct service opportunities, where students engage with an organization and log hours, while also offering consultation and resources for faculty interested in project-based and other forms of community-engaged learning.
What This Means for Students
- Students may continue participating in community-engaged learning courses and opportunities through the processes shared by their course instructor.
- Some courses may continue using the current CEL Course Portal. Others may use spreadsheets or other course-specific processes. A small number of courses or opportunities may begin using MConnect as part of the early adopter phase.
- Students should follow the instructions provided by their instructor or CCEL staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CCEL still supporting community-engaged learning courses and partnerships?
Yes. CCEL will continue supporting community-engaged learning partnerships in Fall 2026, including direct service and project-based opportunities.
Is the CEL Course Portal going away?
The current CEL Course Portal is beginning to wind down, but it will remain available for Fall 2026. MConnect will be introduced during Fall 2026 and fully implemented in Spring 2027.
Do I need to switch to MConnect this fall?
Most faculty and community partners will not need to switch to MConnect this fall. MConnect will begin with a small group of early adopters.
When will community partners begin using MConnect?
Community partner onboarding will begin in late summer 2026. CCEL’s current goal is to have community partners using MConnect by Spring 2027.
Is there a cost to use MConnect?
No! There is no cost to faculty or community partners for MConnect use connected to CCEL-supported courses and partnerships, community partners will need to a free GivePulse organizational account. Reach out to the MConnect team for more details.
What types of opportunities will CCEL continue supporting this fall?
CCEL will continue supporting direct service and project-based community-engaged learning opportunities.
Direct service opportunities where students engage with an organization and log hours may continue using the CEL Course Portal or spreadsheet-based processes for Fall 2026.
Project-based opportunities, where students complete a project or deliverable rather than logging hours, will continue to be supported separately from MConnect for now.
Will community partners and faculty receive training?
Yes! Training and onboarding information will be shared as implementation moves forward.
Will MConnect integrate with Canvas?
CCEL is continuing to explore possibilities for Canvas integration with MConnect. More information will be shared as planning develops.
Will project-based courses use MConnect this year?
Not at this time. Project-based community-engaged learning will continue to be supported separately from MConnect for now. Project-based courses are not expected to use MConnect during the current academic year.
