Colleen Burke, recipient of a 2024 Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Mini Grant, will share the CEL project developed for FSHN 451 Community Nutrition. Through this project, students gained firsthand insight into their potential to effect positive change and acquired practical skills that enhanced their readiness for professional practice by responding to real-world nutrition challenges. Colleen will discuss how the CEL sparked meaningful conversations about sustainability while creating additional touchpoints between students and community partners. In addition, she will share observations and lessons learned from project implementation, review updates around budgeting and sustainability, and outline plans for continued development. Her approach offers a versatile model that can be adapted across disciplines.

Colleen’s work exemplifies how CEL Mini Grant funding can enhance existing curricula while creating adaptable resources for other instructors and projects. Attendees will also gain valuable insight into what makes a successful CEL Mini Grant proposal, making this session particularly beneficial for those considering future grant applications.