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Community Scholars Program (CSP)

The Community Scholar Program (CSP) at the University of Kentucky is a cohort-based internship program built around the dual pillars of community service and leadership development.

The program matches Federal Work-Study-eligible students with paid internship opportunities at community organizations, schools, or government agencies for an academic year.  These internship opportunities are combined with EXP-based academic credit, civic engagement and professional development workshops and leadership training to create a well-rounded service-learning and professional experience. 

With the development of student leadership at its core, the program aims to provide sustained partnerships with community organizations, meet community needs, educate students on social justice and their community, and develop future community leaders.

Click here to apply now! 

 

Program Expectations

  • CSP students commit to a paid, credit-bearing internship with a community organization for both the Fall and Spring semesters.  Each internship is 8 hours/week for 10-12 weeks each semester.  
  • CSP students participate in learning workshops focused on civic engagement, leadership, and professional development as well as service opportunities centered on the needs of our community.
  • CSP students commit to a cohort ​of fellow students dedicated to promoting a culture of service and leadership on our campus.

Program Benefits

  • Participate in a paid internship ($9.25 to $10.00/hour) working to impact your community.
  • Gain valuable work experience, explore career options, network with leaders in your community, and apply what you are learning in the classroom to the real world.
  • Learn new leadership skills and techniques and participate in professional growth opportunities
  • Connect with fellow students to create and promote a culture of service and civic engagement at UK.

Program Elements

  • Cohort-based student leadership and internship program for Federal Work-Study eligible undergraduate students.
  • One academic year commitment (September- May) for each student.
  • Paid Federal Work-Study internship with a community-based nonprofit in the Lexington area.
    • Internships are for 8 hour/week x 10-12 weeks/semester (80-96 hours total per semester or 160-192 total internship hours per year)
    • Hourly rates based on Federal Work-Study guidelines ($9.25/hour or higher)
  • EXP 396 credit required (1-2 credits per semester x 2 semesters)1 EXP Credit = 48 internship hours
    • 2 EXP Credits = 96 internship hours
    • Learning Contract required
  • Participation in 1-2 Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement workshops / meetings per semester (1 hour each)
  • Participation in one Center for Community Outreach (CCO) service event per semester.  Service events could include one of the following:
    • MLK Day of Service
    • UK Wildcat Cleanup
    • National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (NHHAW) Event
  • Participation in two Leadership Education workshops per semester (1 hour each).  Workshops are provided by the UK Office of Student Organizations and Activities (SOA) and could include the following:
    • Cliftons Strengths Test and Coaching
    • Conflict Negotiation
    • Effective Communication
    • Resiliency
    • Followership
  • Resume review and participation in one Stuckert Career Center workshops per semester (1 hour).  Workshops could include one of the following:
    • Interviewing
    • Internships
  • Capstone Group Project:  Cohort members will jointly plan, organize, and execute a service event or project in April as part of LexGiveBack week
  • Reflection Presentation:  At the conclusion of each internship each student is required to present a reflection presentation recounting the impact the student had on the community and vice versa
  • Upon completion, participants would be eligible for “Badge Blue” digital badging benefits that can be added to your LinkedIn page:

Eligibility

  • Available to any undergraduate students (1st Year through Senior Year)
  • Must be Federal Work-Study eligible
  • Must be able to intern 8 hours / week for 10-12 weeks in both the Fall and Spring Semesters
  • Must be able to find weekly transport to the internship site
  • Must enroll in EXP 396 course (1-3 credit hours) each semester and sign learning contract with reflection exercises
  • Must be able to participate in all workshops and cohort meetings and events
  • Must pass UK HR background check

If you have any questions, please email Todd Stoltzfus at todd.stoltzfus@uky.edu or Amanda Royer at amanda.royer@uky.edu. 

Program Sponsors:  Office of Community Engagement and the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement