Students Opportunities

Students in the CBL course, Foundations of Education, work with local middle school students

What is CBL?

Community-Based Learning (CBL) integrates academic experiences with community engagement. The Office of Community-Based Learning is dedicated to fostering the creation of courses and educational experiences that actively involve the community, promoting reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationships. 

What CBL Opportunities are Available?

What Do Students Experience in CBL Courses?

  • Participate in the Lexington and Rockbridge Community
  • Build positive relationships between W&L and the broader community
  • Gain experience addressing real-world problems
  • Develop skills that translate well into resumes and future careers
  • Challenge personal perspectives and assumptions in a supportive environment
  • Work with individuals outside the university towards common goals that entail mutual understanding and respect
  • Connect classroom learning to the real world
  • Move with others toward a just and equitable society

What Do Students Say About CBL?

  • 97% of students believed they benefited from their community-engaged course
  • 95% of students believed they addressed a community-identified goal
  • 95% of students believed that the collaboration provided them with new perspectives

Sascha Goluboff

Director of Community-Based Learning and Professor of Cultural Anthropology

  • Hopkins House 207

Alessandra Del Conte Dickovick

Associate Director of Community-Based Learning

  • Hopkins House 204

Bethany Ozorak

Associate Director of Community-Based Learning

  • Hopkins House 201

Judy Repair

Administrative Assistant

  • Hopkins House 202

Brea Moore

AmeriCorps VISTA

  • Hopkins House 101

Office of Community-Based Learning

  • Washington and Lee University
    Hopkins House
    120 W Nelson St
    Lexington, Virginia 24450

"Working with the community impacted how I comprehended the larger and deeper meaning behind the readings we did in class."

CBL Student

"I enjoyed talking with community members and other volunteers and learned the most through those interactions. It was nice to feel like I was giving back to the community rather than just using its resources."

CBL Student

"The biggest part of the course concepts I took away is reflecting and growing professionally. While working with my community partner I was able to practice ethical procedures such as confidentiality and expressing a non-judgmental attitude when interacting with different individuals. As a growing professional, I was able to build the way I run meetings, communicate, and behave in this setting. Working with an outside W&L group was also important to keep in mind because I was not only representing myself but the university."

CBL Student

Take a CBL Course

Take a CBL Course

CBL courses can happen within any discipline at W&L. Every semester, faculty work with community partners to create engaging learning opportunities. To find CBL courses when registering, select “Community-Based Learning” under course tags.

CBL Resources for Students

CBL Resources for Students

These resources can help you put your best foot forward when you engage with the community.

Find Volunteer Opportunities

Find Volunteer Opportunities

Engage W&L, powered by GivePulse, is an online platform that supports student volunteering and community engagement in the Rockbridge area. Students can find, sign up for, log experiences, and connect with community members and agencies on this platform. All W&L students have an Engage W&L account.

CBL Co-curricular Opportunities

CBL Co-curricular Opportunities

CBL Co-curricular Opportunities