CILCE: Center for Intercultural Learning and Community Engagement

The new Center for Intercultural Learning and Community Engagement (CILCE, pronounced "sill see") is a ‘front door’ to our community, promoting service, outreach, access, experiential education, and cross-cultural exchange.  The Center involves a matrix of initiatives, offices, and professionals from across campus, including such programs as Service Learning, Tutor Mentor, VISION, VIA, Students for Justice and Peace, Business 200, Admissions & Financial Aid, International Programs & International Student Services, Multicultural Student Services, Campus Life, Neighborhood Relations, School of Education, Justice and Peace Studies, and the Department of Music.

In 2006, St. Thomas was designated by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a university with "substantial commitments in curricular engagement and outreach and partnerships" due to the extent and diversity of St. Thomas' outreach and community-based activities.  The designation served to further stimulate a number of ongoing discussions on how best to maximize community-based activities to meet the needs of the university and the community.  A coordinated effort to expand services to the community was proposed, and the establishment of the Center for Intercultural Learning and Community Engagement is the result. The Center will focus on supporting, developing and implementing communitywide strategies to enhance and extend intercultural learning and community engagement activities on and off campus.    CILCE will develop effective outreach and communication strategies that will increase access to the university, deepen the university's visibility among underrepresented groups, and forge and maintain relationships with community groups and agencies.

Please visit the new Center for Intercultural Learning and Community Engagement in 153 Murray-Herrick, the previous Center for Community Partnerships.