Center for Engaged Liberal Arts
The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts connects the classroom to the world. At Oberlin we put learning into practice through internships, research, study away experiences, winter term, fellowships, and beyond.
Undergraduates here are able to connect one-on-one with faculty and staff to ask questions, set up their own research, and do cutting edge exploration.
Eder Aguilar ’20
Engaged Liberal Arts takes many forms at Oberlin.
CELA is where it all comes together.
Oberlin’s Center for the Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) comprises a range of offices that help students explore opportunities beyond the classroom. Are you looking for an internship or study-abroad program? Do you have an idea for a research project or business venture? Come visit CELA and talk with us about what’s possible and how to find the resources you need.
Career Development
With one-on-one advising, employer networking events, and career community programming, Oberlin Career Development helps you chart a meaningful path toward your professional future.
Community-Based Learning
The Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Research helps students partner with organizations, both local and global, on projects of mutual interest that serve the public good.
Digital Portfolio Program
Use digital portfolios to integrate your learning inside and outside the classroom, plan for the future, and present signature accomplishments to audiences within and beyond campus.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship at Oberlin encompasses three main areas: the broad benefits of entrepreneurial thinking, the fundamentals of business and start-ups, and the tools needed to effect real social change.
Fellowships & Awards
Our office works with Obies applying to a range of nationally-competitive programs. Among Fulbright, Watson, Rhodes, Goldwater, and Truman, among other options, there is an opportunity to fit your goals.
Integrative Concentrations
Alongside majors and minors, Oberlin offers educational pathways that connect coursework with experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for a range of professional sectors.
Study Away
Our team works closely with each student to identify programs from around the world best tailored to their personal, professional, and intellectual interests.
Undergraduate Research
Oberlin students work closely with faculty mentors at the forefront of their fields to ask new questions, design innovative studies, and collaborate on groundbreaking projects.
Winter Term
The Winter Term office helps Obies identify and design immersive learning experiences outside of regular course offerings to be pursued each January.
Internship+ Commitment
Oberlin commits to provide financial support to every student for qualified summer opportunities, including internships, research- and performance-based experiences, and other pre-professional activities.
Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones '97