Become a Community Engaged Scholar

The Community Engaged Scholar honor is one of five academic recognitions available to graduating students at UNC Asheville. It provides the opportunity for students to become deeply involved in service-learning in Asheville and Western North Carolina – and receive recognition for their efforts.

Applications are due Monday February 17, 2020. Please note: check the “send me a copy of my responses” box and save your confirmation email. You will need this information to edit your application after it has been reviewed.

How to Become a Community Engaged Scholar

• Service learning courses: Take at least 1 Service Learning Designated course before beginning the Community Engaged Scholar application process. A second completed service learning course is not required to begin work on the project, but required to graduate with CES distinction.To graduate with the CES distinction, scholars must receive at least a B- in both service learning designated courses.
• Propose a Community Engaged Project: due Monday February 17, 2020.
• Complete signature form: due Monday March 2, 2020. The signature form confirms that you, a faculty mentor, and a community partner are all committed to the success of this project. Drop signature form off by the Key Center (211 Highsmith Student Union) or scan and email to keyctr@unca.edu.
• Community Engaged Project: Do amazing with with your non-profit community partner and faculty advisor on your project!
• Project title and abstract: due Friday March 20, 2020 to Undergraduate Research.
• Complete project and product: Complete project as outlined in your proposal and turn in any products promised to your non-profit community partner (i.e. website, handbook, video, report, etc).
• Research/reflection paper: first draft due Monday April 6, 2020, email to keyctr@unca.edu.The paper will be reviewed and returned for revisions.
• Research poster: Create
• Undergraduate Research Symposium: Tuesday April 21, 2020. Present poster at Undergraduate Research Symposium in Blue Ridge Room in Highsmith as a part of the Celebration of Community Engaged Learning.
• Final Paper: due Monday April 27, 2020. Submit Final Paper (with suggested faculty revisions) to keyctr@unca.edu.
• Completion Form: due Monday April 27, 2020. Submit scanned copy with signatures to keyctr@unca.edu or drop off original with signatures to Key Center (211 Highsmith).
• Graduation: Graduating seniors will be emailed when CES certificate and graduation cords are available for pick up in the Key Center, 211 Highsmith Student Union.

Requirements

• Complete six or more academic credit hours in service-learning designated courses (usually two courses). They are indicated by an SL notation beside the course listed on the Registrar’s website. You must earn a grade of B- or above in each course.
• Complete a Community Engaged Scholar Workshop (in person with quiz, dates listed below)
• Complete a Community Engaged Project (CEP) with a local non-profit agency that directly responds to a need identified by that agency. Need ideas for topics? Read past papers to get an idea of potential projects (see Journal of Undergraduate Public Service Projects content below).
• Complete a 5-page paper (single-spaced) that outlines the CEP, including the learning that came from it.
• Present the CEP at a Celebration of Community Engaged Learning (scheduled at the end of each fall and spring semester).
• Fill out and submit a Completion Form will all required signatures.

*Community Engaged Scholar project process is not intended to be completed in one semester. Approval to do so, because of special circumstances, may be requested. 

2020 Community Engaged Scholar Workshops

• Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 @ 12-1pm in 238 Highsmith (to ki ya sdi Room)
• Wednesday April 8th 2020 @ 6-7pm in 238 Highsmith (to ki ya sdi Room)
• Thursday April 9th 2020 @ 12-1pm in 223 Highsmith (The 1927 Room)

*April workshops are geared towards students looking to implement their community engaged project in Summer 2020 or later*

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Timeline for Scholars Presenting Project at UGR Day in Fall 2020

Workshops:

• Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 12pm-1pm
• Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 12pm-1pm
• Tuesday, September 8th, 2020  12pm-1pm