Civically Engaged Scholars (CES)
WELCOME
What is CES?
Civically Engaged Scholars is a degree distinction seeking program, designed to encourage students to get involved with their local community members through a critically conscious lens. Students have the opportunity to learn about the importance of community involvement in the classroom and then apply their knowledge through hands-on experiences with our various local community partners.
Purpose and Vision
The Purpose of Civically Engaged Scholars is to develop, implement, and foster civic and community engagement. Nourishing mutual transformative relationships between community organizations and SLCC Students, both as a community and as an institution, will bring equity and justice into the lives of many.
The Vision of Civically Engaged Scholars seeks to prepare students for a life of engagement with systems, institutions, and community partners; thus, uplifting communities and students by providing foundational knowledge to approaches and tools of civic engagement.
WHY BECOME A CIVICALLY ENGAGED SCHOLAR
Benefits:
- Build your network for academic and career advancement
- Special Distinction on transcript
- Designation at Graduation with blue honors cord
- Front row placement during commencement
- A graduation letter from the President
- e-Portfolio with civic engagement material
BECOMING A CIVICALLY ENGAGED SCHOLAR
All independent tracked Civically Engaged Scholars must take at least one Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) course. Students can choose from three options to fulfill CES requirements:
Option 1: Take 1 CEL Course + 200 Community Engagement (Service) Hours
Option 2: Take 2 CEL Courses + 100 Community Engagement (Service) Hours
Option 3: Take 3 CEL Courses
Note: Students that take 3 CEL Courses are not required to do any additional service hours.
What This Means:
Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Course:
CEL Designated Academic Learning Courses: 3, 6, or 9 credit hours.
(Each 3 credit CEL course = 100 Hours)
How to achieve this:
Check out the CEL Student Page for a list of CEL designated courses and further instructions on how to search and register for them!
Community Engagement Hours:
Service hours done during your CEL course within our community.
- Dental Hygiene and Occupational Therapy Assisting students have these requirements/service hours met through their curriculum and program.
- Individual tracking can be done through the provided Canvas course or CampusGroups.
Hours that count:
- Community-Engagement with Thayne Center Partners or other community partners
- Club participation with service
- Semester meeting with Office Specialist
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Non-Credit Canvas Course (added manually) OR attend Active Engagement Retreat
- Meet with Engaged Learning Specialist TWICE a semester.
- Complete e-Portfolio
- Graduate with a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Attend and/or Present at the Engaged Learning Celebration upon graduation.
- Optional: Attend the Civic Leadership Conference
EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
ENGAGED LEARNING CELEBRATION
The Engaged Learning Celebration will highlight student tuition waiver recipients and Civically Engaged Scholars. Join us as we hear about the accomplishments of Community-Engaged Learning students with additional, inspiring keynote speakers. Enjoy food, coffee, fun, and an exciting program that explores stories about service, reflection, and the power of education. We hope to see you there! Check back with us for updates.
Date: April 30th, 2025
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Come back for more events and opportunities!
PATHWAY DEFINITIONS
- Community Engaged Learning and Research: Connecting coursework and academic research to community-identified concerns to enrich knowledge and inform action on social issues.
- Community Organizing and Activism: Involving, educating, and mobilizing individual or collective action to influence or persuade others.
- Direct Service: Working to address the immediate needs of individuals or a community, often involving contact with the people or places being served.
- Philanthropy: Donating or using private funds or charitable contributions from individuals or institutions to contribute to the public good.
- Policy and Governance: Participating in political processes, policymaking, and public governance.
- Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility: Using ethical business or private sector approaches to create or expand market-oriented responses to social or environmental problems.