Welcome to our site! Our programs are centered around the areas of community-engaged learning, democratic engagement, leadership education, preK-12 student success and place-based initiatives. Build authentic community and expand your educational experience at the University of Washington. Browse our opportunities below to find something that works for you.
Democracy Dawgs
A campus coalition working to increase student voter and democratic engagement.
Dream Project College Access Internships
Intern at a local middle or high school supporting students with postsecondary planning, career exploration, financial aid support, and near-peer mentorship.
Undergraduate Community Based Internships
UCBI is a paid internship program that places undergraduates in nonprofit and public sector organizations. Students interested in public service get the chance to explore, contribute, and grow as they work in, with, and for local communities.
Riverways Rural & Tribal Programs
Develop leadership skills and community awareness through working in literacy arts, STEM and college access projects in rural and tribal communities throughout Washington State.
CELE News & Events
news
The Civics Generation | University of Washington Magazine
How do you inspire a new generation into public service? The Evans School and CELE Center are connecting students with seasoned leaders and local opportunities to do just that.
Read the full article below.
Learn moreFrom mentorship to MBA // Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Alumnus Izaiha Ellis, ’20, connected with the interdisciplinary way of thinking in the Honors Program and mentored high school students through the CELE Center’s Dream Project.
Read moe about his journey below.
Learn moreLaunching Community Connect UW (CCUW)
New Online Platform Provides UW Community New Ways to Engage
The Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center is proud to support a new online system called Community Connect UW (CCUW) for the Seattle Campus. This system is accessible to UW Community members and partner organizations across all three UW campuses as a part of the tri-campus building capacity for community engagement project. If you want to learn more about how CCUW might support your work at the UW, please reach out to Kathryn Pursch Cornforth at celecenter@uw.edu.
UW recognized across all campuses with Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement reclassification
The UW has earned a prestigious Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement reclassification, highlighting our faculty, students and staff’s incredible connections with our local and global communities.
In Seattle, the UW Community Engagement & Leadership Education (CELE) Center is at the heart of this achievement, inspiring students across disciplines to cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary for a thriving civic society.
Please read the full article on UW News, which features Riverways Education Partnerships, linked below.
Learn moreevents
Spring CELEbration 2026
Spring CELEbration is a forum for UW students to showcase their community-engaged work, leadership, and activism.
Want to present your work at Spring CELEbration? Please see our Participant Information page.
Want to attend Spring CELEbration as a guest? RSVP to attend Spring CELEbration!
recruitment
Now Hiring! Graduate Staff Assistant: Student Advising and Program Support (Paid internships)
The Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center is accepting applications for a Graduate Staff Assistant (GSA): Student Advising and Program Support position for the appointment period of September 16, 2026 - June 15, 2027. This role will directly mentor student interns who are working in communities and schools in the UCBI and Dream Project programs. The GSA will also support program logistics, facilitate cohort meetings and plan content, and engage in the larger CELE Center mission.
Work Hours and Location: 220 hours per academic quarter; quarterly schedule negotiated with supervisor; majority of hours will be completed during weekday business hours from CELE office in Mary Gates Hall. Wednesday evenings (5:00-7:30pm) must be available for in-person cohort meeting support throughout the academic year.
Compensation: Compensation and benefits will reflect the negotiated labor contract and salary schedule that govern academic student employees and is subject to union shop provisions.
Application Deadline - Wednesday April 15, 2026 11:59pm
Please contact Emma Pelletier (egbp@uw.edu) with any questions.
Learn moreNow Hiring! Graduate Staff Assistant: Student Advising and Program Support (Husky Leadership Certificate, GEN ST 350)
The Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center is accepting applications for a Graduate Staff Assistant (GSA): Student Advising and Program Support position for the appointment period of September 16, 2026 - June 15, 2027. This role will directly support the Husky Leadership Certificate program, the Internship GEN ST 350 course, and other programs focused on leadership identity development, career connected learning, and democrative engagement programming.
Work Hours and Location: 220 hours per academic quarter; quarterly schedule negotiated with supervisor; majority of hours will be completed during weekday business hours from CELE office in Mary Gates Hall.
Compensation: Compensation and benefits will reflect the negotiated labor contract and salary schedule that govern academic student employees and is subject to union shop provisions.
Application Deadline - Wednesday, April 19, 2026 @ 11:59pm
Please contact Fran Lo (franlo@uw.edu) with any questions.
Stories
Not sure how to get involved? Here are some stories from students and partners from across all our programs.