Service Snapshot

Through Community Engaged Learning, TCNJ students engage in hands-on, service-oriented projects that address society’s most pressing problems. Here’s an overview of how that service helped communities and nonprofits across the state last academic year.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

Through Community Engaged Learning, TCNJ students engage in hands-on, service-oriented projects that address society’s most pressing problems. Last academic year, 1,456 students did 36,312 hours of service through the CEL program. Here’s an overview of how that service helped communities and nonprofits across the state.

Juvenile Justice
Students facilitated  weekly “Socrates Café” philosophical discussions with inmates from a correctional facility and taught life-skills to at-risk youth.

Developmental Disabilities
Students facilitated  weekend enrichment activities for adults with developmental disabilities.

Hunger
Students organized inventory, served food, and ran GED tutoring sessions at Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

Housing
Students helped Habitat for Humanity open a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center.

Community Development
Students completed beautification projects in and around Trenton.

Education
Students tutored and mentored urban schoolchildren on topics such as writing, literature, the arts, academic skills, and wellness.

Environment
Students worked in community gardens, assisted Green Teams from local municipalities, and ran environmental programming that taught urban youth about agriculture, environmental issues, and healthy eating.

Immigration
Students taught ESL, citizenship, and computer classes at a nonprofit multi-service, community center that serves Latino families in Mercer County.

1,456 students did 36,312 hours of community service

The Towns Students Served:

• Asbury Park
• Brick Township
• Chesterfield
• Ewing
• Hamilton
• Hazlet
• Keansburg
• Lambertville
• Lavalette
• Lawrence
• Leonardo Beach
• Manasquan
• Neptune Township
• Ortley Beach
• Point Pleasant
• Port Monmouth
• Sea Bright
• Sea Girt
• Seaside Heights
• Seaside Park
• Somers Point
• Toms River
• Trenton
• Union Beach

At TCNJ, all freshmen are required to spend a minimum of eight hours engaged in CEL-related service. Some enroll in freshmen seminar classes that include CEL components, while others take part in daylong service projects with their floor mates. Upper-class students can continue to serve by enrolling in CEL-II classes, which include more advanced class-based service projects.