Center for Engaged Learning Student Scholar applications due March 24

The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites applications from current Elon University first-year students for a three-year (Summer 2023 – Spring 2026) research collaboration on Mentoring Meaningful Learning Experiences.

The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites applications from current Elon University first-year students for a three-year (Summer 2023 – Spring 2026) research collaboration on Mentoring Meaningful Learning Experiences. Accepted CEL Student Scholars will collaborate with three Elon University faculty – Dr. Sabrina Thurman, Dr. Takudzwa “Titch” Madzima, and Dr. Jessie L. Moore – and Dr. Ashley Finley, Vice President of Research and Senior Advisor to the President for the American Association of Colleges and Universities, to lead international, multi-institutional research on this engaged learning topic.

Applications are due March 24, 2023.

Eligibility

The CEL Student Scholar program is open to current Elon University first-year students (during the 2022-2023 academic year) from any major. Applicants should have an interest in engaged learning in higher education (broadly) and in the 2023-2026 research topic  –  Mentoring Meaningful Learning Experiences.

First-year students apply in spring (Spring 2023) to begin the program in the summer between their first and second years (Summer 2023).

What will CEL Student Scholars do?

Students and faculty sit at tables, looking at an out-of-frame speaker
CEL Student Scholars collaborate with Elon faculty and international scholars during the 2021 summer meeting of a CEL research seminar.

Accepted CEL Student Scholars will collaborate on a three-year research project with Elon faculty and staff and with CEL Research Seminar participants from colleges and universities around the world.

During three consecutive summers (2023, 2024, 2025), CEL Student Scholars will…

  • Receive a $3,000 summer stipend as compensation for the Student Scholar’s work during the summer;
  • Have access to double-occupancy, on-campus, summer housing;
  • Participate in a week-long research seminar meeting with faculty and staff participants from colleges and universities around the globe;
  • Attend (and during second and third summers, present at) the Conference on Engaged Learning;
  • Collaborate in weekly meetings with the seminar co-leaders and/or the CEL Director to advance the research project, collaborate on resources, and learn about strategies for studying engaged learning; and
  • Have opportunities to attend events with other undergraduate researchers.

During the academic years (2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026), CEL Student Scholars will…

  • Receive a $1,000 stipend each semester as compensation for the Student Scholar’s work during the academic year;
  • Participate in weekly meetings with the research seminar co-leaders, other CEL Student Scholars, and the CEL Director; and
  • Spend an additional 1-2 hours a week completing research tasks.
Three people stand near a projection screen. The projected slide reads, "Reciprocally Informing Research."
Three CEL Student Scholars present at the 2022 International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference in Kelowna, B.C., Canada.

CEL Student Scholars will have opportunities to present and publish on their research and will join an international community of scholars interested in engaged learning.

Two students will be accepted as CEL Student Scholars each year. Accepted scholars can discuss with the CEL Director and their advisor whether they wish to register for 4999 undergraduate research credit during one or more of their semesters as a CEL Student Scholar. Acceptance as a CEL Student Scholar also does not preclude participation in other Elon experiences like study away and internships.

Learn more about the CEL Student Scholar program and the application process. Questions? Contact CEL’s Director, Jessie L. Moore, at jmoore28@elon.edu.