Student participants are seen posing by their group poster

About the Annual Showcase

The Annual Community-Engaged Learning and Service Learning Showcase (CELSL Showcase) is a dynamic event where university students present their service and community-based projects (service-based fieldwork, academic internships, volunteer experiences, etc). The showcase provides a platform for students to share the impact of their service-learning experiences, reflect on their contributions, and demonstrate how academic knowledge is applied to address real-world needs. This event is to foster dialogue, collaboration, and recognition of the meaningful connections between higher education and the community.

The Stan State CELSL Showcase has been shaped by various showcases and symposia from the service learning and experiential learning departments of the following universities: CSU San Marcos, Mount Aloysius College, University of Central Florida, University of Kansas, and Wichita State University.

Save the Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2027

Eligibility and Responsibilities

Students must:

  • be enrolled at Stanislaus State
  • complete a service project related to academic studies
  • present at the showcase
  • have a faculty member assist/support their project

Faculty/Staff Advisor Role:

  • be a full- or part-time faculty or staff member at Stanislaus State
  • be familiar with service learning or community-engaged learning
  •  assist/support the student(s) throughout their service project and development of their poster

Steps to Participate

  1. Participate in academic-based community service. 
  2. Registration is open from September 23rd to March 10th
  3. Submit a PDF of your poster presentation
  4. by Wednesday, April 7th
  5. Watch your email for more information about the showcase and poster set-up.
  6. Arrive at the Showcase to set up your poster and present.
  7. Enjoy sharing your service project and networking with others.

Register Now 

Important Dates for the Showcase
Activity Dates & Registration
Fall Virtual 30-minute Information Sessions for Students, Faculty and Staff

Wednesday, September 23rd at 2pm
Thursday, September 24th at 10:30am
Tuesday, October 20th at 12pm
Wednesday, October 21st at 10:30am
Wednesday, November 18th at 2pm
Wednesday, December 2nd at 10:30am

Join the Zoom 

Registration Opens

Register for Spring 2027 CELSL Showcase

Wednesday, September 23rd
Spring Virtual 30-minute Information Sessions for Students, Faculty and Staff

Tuesday, February 2nd at 2pm
Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:30am
Wednesday, February 24th at 2pm
Thursday, February 25th 10:30am
Thursday, March 4th at 2pm
Friday, March 5th at 10:30am

Join the Zoom 

Last Day to Register to Present Wednesday, March 10, 2027
Last Day to submit posters for printing Wednesday, April 7, 2027 at 11:59pm
Annual CELSL Showcase

Wednesday, April 28, 2027
11am-2pm
Location: TBA

Guidelines & Poster Criteria

Guidelines & Poster Criteria for Poster Presentations
Minimum Criteria Poster Formatting Other Recommendations
  • Names of student participants (Maximum of 4 students per poster)
  • Summary of service project
  • Community impact
  • Academic Alignment
  • Reflection
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
  • Include helpful visual aids (photos, graphs, logos, etc.)
  • Triple check for typos
  • Ask for a peer to review it who isn't familiar with your project
  • Review Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria

Important Poster Points
Category Description Questions to for self-review
Presentation Design

Ease of Viewing: Clarity, creativity, organization, references, relevant visual aids, consistent font/style, logical structure, and readability.

Is the poster well organized? Does my poster look professional? Is the font consistent and a good size? Did I include important graphics and charts that add meaning? Is the reference properly and consistently formatted? Can the project be understood solely from the poster? 
Academic Alignment  Clear academic learning: The project includes and enhances the course objective and the service learning outcomes (SL outcomes).  What academic concept connects with this project? What concepts would assist in enhancing community efforts? Was the course/academic connection mentioned on the poster? Did I include the important concepts related to the social needs associated with the project? Did you properly cite your resources?
Community Impact The project added value and assisted in moving forward the agency and/or the larger community goals in a collaborative manner.  Did I explain the community impact? Did I include important statistical information related to the project (number of people, trees, bus rides, etc)? Why did the community support this project and these efforts? What feedback did the community share? How did this project assist the community? Why was this project important?
Critical Reflection Communicates what was learned and how the learning will inform future community service. Communicates complexity and various perspectives associated with the service, as well as strong analysis.  Were the self-reflections included? Is the reflection supported by evidence? Did I address how the project impacted my sense of community responsibility? Did I share how this project increased my community awareness and how I will incorporate what I learned moving forward?

Poster Presentation Scholarship Awards

As a thank you and recognition of the hard work of all the students, we would like to highlight those who went above and beyond at the Annual Community Engaged Learning Showcase. Additionally, these awards include a $200 scholarship for the students who achieve one of the recognitions for their poster presentations.

Best in Show (Soloist & Group Finalist)

This award acknowledges the service and presentation that went above and beyond. As well as thoroughly highlights both the academic and community aspects of the service-based project. 

Excellence in Collaboration & Awareness (Soloist & Group Finalist)

This award celebrates outstanding achievements in fostering community awareness and an inclusive environment and driving positive change through collaborative efforts with the community

Updated: September 09, 2026