Carnegie Mellon University

EXPLORE

What meaningful engagement means to you

COMMIT

To making positive change and impact

BUILD PARTNERSHIPS

That strengthen community connections

LEAD

Through learning, personal development and action

Community Engagement & Leadership Development

Carnegie Mellon students have tremendous potential to change the world. With passion and purpose, they aspire to lead in their communities, engage in meaningful community engagement and build intentional relationships with community partners at CMU, in Pittsburgh and across the globe.

The Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development is invested in your holistic experience at Carnegie Mellon, including and especially those that will inspire and empower you to invest in yourself as a leader and build genuine connections with the communities and world around you. We are your partners, advocates and biggest supporters to help you achieve your aspirations of real world impact, during your time at CMU and beyond.

We're committed to educating and empowering students to become effective community-minded leaders who respond to unmet social needs, advocate for their communities, and act to create positive societal change. 

Explore

students kayaking on the river underneath Pittsburgh bridges and blue skies

Discover new community organizations and partnership opportunities at the Community Engagement Fair.

Engage with local community partners and learn about their needs at Community Commitment or a community impact project with Emerging Leaders.

Experience the great city of Pittsburgh through Arts Pass and Pittsburgh Connections.

Contribute to one of CMU's donation drives to tackle basic needs insecurity.

Meet with a Nexus of Civic Engagement Ambassador to hone in on your interests.

Sign up for the Nexus of Community Engagement newsletter to explore engagement opportunities on and off campus.

Commit

Immerse yourself in local and global communities through an Alternative Break trip.

Join a community engagement-focused student organization to delve deeper into a specific social issue.

Participate in a community engagement project with Partners Allied in Community Engagement (PACE).

Consider working at a community-based organization through a Federal Community Workstudy position or through the Leonard Gelfand Center.

CMU students working with their hands at a table during a leadership retreat

Lead

a CMU student presents at the Charpie Leadership Institute conference.

Learn best practices, schedule an advising conversation, or reserve the Nexus of Community Engagement for your group’s planning meeting or event.

Sophomores, practice applying your skills to community problems as a Charpie Scholar.

Examine the complexities of society’s biggest challenges through coursework.

Be a candidate for the Rising Star Awards, which recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who exhibit outstanding potential as campus or community leaders.