Through the Eyes of the Student Scholars

Read blog posts by CEL Student Scholars and their faculty/staff partners.

College students sitting in circle having tight conversation. Quote reads: "I wasn’t just a student—I was a contributor. That spatial arrangement made a difference.”

Learning on Location: Space, Confidence, and Connection  

This past summer, I was given the opportunity to participate on the leadership team for the Learning on Location research seminar as a CEL student scholar. I was very excited to be able to be a part of this seminar because of my interest in place-based learning. I knew I would be challenged in new ways, not just academically, but personally.  Stepping into…

Three hands writing on notepads on dark wooden table and three cups of tea by each person writing. Quote reads: "One of the greatest joys of my career is collaborative writing with students and colleagues."

A Conversation on What Matters: Collaborative Writing  

This blog post was written as a conversation piece involving collaborators who started as a student (written by Kira Campagna) and professor (Caroline Ketcham) and became colleagues. The post focuses on work style and the different approaches and experiences we…

White person carrying laptop with rainbow stickers on it. White text reads: “Authenticity in mentoring is not just about sharing identities; it is about modeling what is possible.”

LGBTQ+ Mentoring, Part 2: When LGBTQ+ Identities are Shared  

In a previous post, we explained the importance of mentoring lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-, and queer (LGBTQ+) students, and considerations for engaged faculty and staff allies as they engage in doing so. This second post of the two-part series will…

College students sitting around a desk with quote: "What we bring to the table isn't abstract; it’s layered, personal, and powerful."

Bringing Our Whole CELves to the Table 

Pull up a chair.  We’re glad you’re here. At this table, conversation matters, but so does who gets to speak and who gets heard. This isn’t just about having a seat—it’s about shaping the space together.  In higher education, decisions…

"An accommodation is meant to help students with disabilities during assessments without penalizing them for their disability.”

Accommodated, but Not Supported

Writing this blog post has been in the works for a while now. I have been hesitant to continue writing it, as it evokes a range of personal feelings I have towards certain professors and my university as a whole….

Student taking exam with pen and paper. Quote "Without the support, I know I would have been much more overwhelmed than I already was.”

Standardized Exams + Disabilities   

My goal for this blog post is to inform educators about the tedious process students may face to receive accommodations on standardized tests. I also want readers to consider the current role educators play in the accommodations process and the…

Blue puzzle piece with brain and gears with text: “I hope you can take a moment to appreciate how quickly challenges can stack up for neurodivergent students.”

Mental Health Through a Neurodivergent Lens 

Mental health and neurodivergence are tied together, and I want to hear more about it. In the simplest of terms, neurodivergent people are put under a lot of stress by moving through a world that is not designed with them…

Red gradient over an image of girl writing in notebook with text: "As I sit in the class, I worry that I will be one of the last students able to take the course.”

Dismantling the Department of Education: What About the Kids?

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education. Although it is still unclear what this order will entail and how the Department of Education would change, I find…