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We have 35 students graduating with the Certificate in Community Engagement and Service-Learning (aka the CSL Certificate) this Spring! 🎉

The Certificate in Community Engagement and Service-Learning allows students to demonstrate that they have significantly integrated Community Service-Learning (CSL) into their postsecondary education. The knowledge and experience students gain through service-learning are relevant and applicable to a wide range of careers, including those in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the volunteer sector, business and government, and academic institutions. 

Follow along as we highlight a few of these students during this year's Spring convocation! Each of these students has completed 100 hours of working in and learning from community organizations throughout their undergraduate degree. 

We extend our congratulations to the students convocating this Spring with the Certificate in Community Engagement and Service-Learning. Thank you for integrating CSL into your studies. 

Charvi Dhamija

Bachelor of Science with Specialization in Computing Science

Why did you decide to pursue the CSL certificate?
Back in 2020 during COVID, I was studying remotely from India, and like many students, found comfort and connection through Discord. One day, I stumbled upon a conversation about CSL 100 with Dr. Jay Friesen and it piqued my interest. The next thing I know, we’re back to in-person classes in Fall 2021, and I’m enrolled in that very course!

How did you integrate CSL into your degree?
Although I’m in the Faculty of Science and part of the specialization program, I was fortunate to have flexibility in choosing electives. I was intentional from the first year in planning my courses, which allowed me to integrate CSL through designated CSL courses, classes with a CSL component, and concourse the Non-Profit Board Internship Program.

What was your favourite CSL placement or experience?
My first CSL placement will always hold a special place in my heart. As an international student, I moved to Edmonton in second year (after a fully remote first year), and within a month, I began volunteering with the City of Edmonton Accessibility Services. Seeing the city through the lens of accessibility was eye-opening, and something I might never have considered otherwise. It was a meaningful introduction to both the community and the city as a newcomer.

What impact did CSL have on your academic and career goals?
I cannot overstate the impact CSL has had on my academic and professional journey. As a newcomer with no prior work experience, CSL gave me something invaluable. It gave me real community involvement that I could speak to in job interviews. It gave me hands-on skills, helped me build confidence, and shaped how I think about the people around me. It even inspired me to step outside the traditional scope of my Computing Science degree and pursue interdisciplinary electives that broadened my perspective.

Faith Abimbola

BA in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology

Why did you decide to pursue the CSL certificate?

I’ve always loved volunteering, but I wanted to explore it more intentionally through my academics. The CSL Certificate felt like a really unique opportunity to deepen my learning in a hands-on way. I was drawn to the chance to take courses that focused on community engagement while also getting to serve. It helped me connect with real-world issues, explore non-profit work, and understand how local initiatives support people in need.

How did you integrate CSL into your degree?

It integrated really smoothly into my degree. I was already taking a lot of the required courses as part of my psychology and sociology studies, so adding the CSL certificate felt like a natural fit. It gave me a different lens to view what I was learning — especially when it came to understanding community care, social systems, and equity.

What was your favourite CSL placement or experience?

My placement with Lady Flower Gardens stood out the most. I had the chance to be on the ground, in the gardens and learned about what it means to build a sustainable community initiative. The work they do—supporting people in need through food security, collaboration, and land stewardship—really shifted how I think about service. 

What impact did CSL have on your academic and career goals?

The CSL Certificate helped me realize that I want to keep working in roles that bridge people, service, and advocacy. It added depth to my psychology degree and made me more aware of how I want to engage with community-based work moving forward. I’m now more confident about pursuing opportunities that blend research, service, and social impact.

 Munachiso Nwanisobi

BA Psychology with a minor in sociology

Why did you decide to pursue the CSL certificate?

I stumbled across the CSL program during clubs fair in my third year and it felt like an alignment. Everything I heard about CSL sounded too good to be true. It provided an opportunity to couple my in class learning with hands-on experience with diverse communities. I was given the privilege to navigate my career goals and work with different vulnerable communities

How did you integrate CSL into your degree?

I allocate time to plan my schedule. It is important for me to do my research into the classes that have the CSL component. This will allow me to plan my schedule ahead of time and pick classes that have said component as fast as possible

What was your favourite CSL placement or experience?

My favourite placement was my last placement for my CSL certificate. It was CSL 370/550 with Lisa Prins and Allison Sivak. I really loved that class because it was unorthodox. It had a different perspective to learning and being a volunteer that I never explored. I credit my current outlook on volunteering and community engagement to them and I strive to never forget the teachings and their impacts

What impact did CSL have on your academic and career goals?

CSL allowed me to better understand key concepts that were taught in class. Seeing the teachings being carried out in real life provided additional insights into what was being taught. It also provided clarity on my clarity goals as well as how different skills can be utilized in different fields. With all this, I am so excited to go out into the world and see where my learning, connections and experiences take me. Furthermore, I encourage everyone to explore different certificates at the UofA because it provides much more depth into your degree and career alignment. 

Jolo Guevarra

BA Sociology and Psychology

Why did you decide to pursue the CSL certificate?

When I first took CSL 100, I honestly didn’t expect it to have such a big impact on me. At the time, I was just exploring classes and thought it might be an interesting course but it ended up opening the door to a whole new way of thinking about my role in the community. I wasn’t planning to pursue the CSL Certificate at first, but that course sparked something. I found myself really enjoying the work and realizing how powerful it is to connect academic learning with real-world impact. After that, I decided to pursue the CSL certificate because I wanted my university experience to go beyond the classroom.

How did you integrate CSL into your degree?

Throughout my degree, I found myself taking courses that included CSL components and chose placements that matched my interests in research related area. It was a great way to apply what I was learning, meet new people, and get involved with organizations doing important work.

What was your favourite CSL placement or experience?

My favourite CSL experience was with YRAP (Youth Restorative Action Project). I absolutely loved being involved as both a mentor and a panel member. Supporting youth through that program was incredibly rewarding, it taught me so much about empathy and the power of community support. Seeing the impact we could make just by showing up and listening was something I’ll never forget.

What impact did CSL have on your academic and career goals?

As I continued through the CSL program, my career goals started to evolve. I realized that I wanted to do work that served the community, but in a way that also aligned with my interest in research and data. That led me to a passion for using data-driven insights to help organizations grow, improve, and better support the people they serve. CSL played a major role in shaping that vision and gave me both the experience and clarity to move forward with confidence.