Washington and Lee students are taking their learning beyond campus through the Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL), which partners with local organizations throughout Lexington and Rockbridge County.
Founded in 2017, CBL blends classroom learning with hands-on community involvement through local partnerships.
“Community-based learning integrates learning and mentorship with community engagement through reciprocal community partnerships,” said Sascha Goluboff, director of community-based learning and professor of cultural anthropology. “It aims to benefit students, community partners and the greater good.”
The office provides students with credit-bearing courses across nearly every subject. All of the programs are designed to connect classroom knowledge to real-world issues including education, health, environmental sustainability and social issues.
Some of the courses that CBL helps offer include Food for Thought, Fieldwork in Poverty and Human Capability, Economics of Social Issues and Documentary Filmmaking, according to the university’s website.
In these courses, students work with community partners to address local needs and reflect on their course material and experiences.
Bethany Ozorak, associate director of community-based learning, said the office focuses on building deep partnerships between the university and local organizations.
“Our goal is to foster meaningful connections that support student learning while also addressing real community problems,” Ozorak said.
Each September, CBL hosts the Community Engagement Fair, where students can meet with representatives from more than 25 local organizations and explore what volunteer opportunities the area has to offer.
Throughout the year, students can use Engage W&L, an online platform managed by CBL, to find local service opportunities and track their involvement.
Beyond classes and volunteer opportunities, CBL runs a seven-week summer internship program that matches students with local organizations for immersive, hands-on work experience.
Interns work approximately 25 hours a week with community partners while participating in weekly cohort meetings focused on reflection and professional development.
“My CBL marketing internship with Hull’s Drive-In allowed me to apply what I’ve learned in classes to a real-life setting,” Judy Gong, ’27, said. “While the work was sometimes challenging, I developed new skills in online communication with supervisors, graphic design and video editing.”
In addition to providing opportunities to students, CBL assists faculty members interested in incorporating community engagement into their teaching and research.
The office assists faculty in designing CBL-designated courses, connecting scholarship to local issues and building sustainable partnerships with community organizations.
CBL currently works with 85 community partners, including nonprofits, schools, government agencies and social services.
Goluboff said community engagement plays a key role in helping students feel connected to the region surrounding the university.
“Engaging in CBL helps students gain real-world experience, expand their intellectual horizons and learn about the Lexington and Rockbridge County area,” she said.
Ozorak added that student involvement in the community supports both individual growth and broader social impact.
Students interested in getting involved with CBL can enroll in a CBL-designated course, attend the Community Engagement Fair in September, apply for the internship program or visit the CBL website.
