The Center for Excellence in Curricular Engagement was a place on campus where faculty and staff could go to gain support and guidance on service learning and ways to get more connectivity with community members. Service learning has been becoming increasingly important for the University as students, faculty and staff become more aware of how service learning can be implemented to strengthen teaching methods so that learning can be reinforced with real life experiences. The creation of the center created a stimulating buzz around the campus as administrators and other University officials publicly spoke of all the good that would be able to flourish from the center. Former Chancellor James Oblinger believed that the center would put students in the position to make an impact on the world through the educational opportunities that would be provided through the CECE. Other staff members realized that this center was what the University needed to “reach new heights”. This center, which would benefit students, faculty, staff and the community seemed as if it was here to stay. The new educational opportunities that were made possible by the center were enough to make students stand out in a crowd or community, as they would be given the tools and trainings to integrate their class lessons into the community. Surprisingly, the center, which had everything to offer, is no longer in existence as a result of the actions of former Provost Larry Nielsen. In response to Erskine Bowles’s much talked about call for budget cuts, Nielsen made the decision to cut the CECE as a result of his belief that the center was not directly related to helping students get classes towards their degree. Many problems have resulted from the unexpected destruction of the center — problems that will affect students. Administrators who do not work closely enough with students to understand how these programs help in our personal develop as well as academic development blindly made the decision to cut this center and others like it in the Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs.For Dr. Jessica Katz Jameson the center was a place where she and other faculty members went to get “centralized support” and encouragement to broaden their research. “It strengthened my teaching and encouraged students to do more research,” Jameson said.With the workforce becoming increasingly competitive year after year, it is necessary for students to have opportunities available that will help them stand out in a crowd. The CECE was an important tool that would ensure that an increased number of students had an opportunity to engage in research and become intricate aspects of the community. While the desire for increased engaged scholarship is visible among our campus, it is difficult to determine if the University will be able to keep students and faculty interested in this new form of learning without a centralized unit where people can go for guidance and support in implementing their new ideas. With Mary Easley’s termination, the University should not have any problems getting the funds to reinstate the center that was going to keep N.C. State at the forefront of things.