Apply for CEL Student Scholars Program

The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites applications from current Elon University first-year students for the CEL Student Scholar program, a three-year, mentored opportunity for students to collaborate with Elon University faculty and staff on CEL’s international, multi-institutional research on specific engaged learning topics. CEL Student Scholars receive up to $5,000 in stipends annually to support their active participation in the project.

The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites applications from current Elon University first-year students for a three-year (Summer 2021 – Spring 2024) research collaboration on (Re)Examining Conditions for Meaningful Learning Experiences.

The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) Student Scholar program is a three-year, mentored opportunity for students to collaborate with Elon University faculty and staff on CEL’s international, multi-institutional research on specific engaged learning topics. CEL Student Scholars receive up to $5,000 in stipends annually to support their active participation in the project.

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.

Applications are due March 22, 2021.

Accepted 2021-2024 CEL Student Scholars will collaborate with three Elon University faculty (Dr. Eric Hall, Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital, and Dr. Jessie L. Moore) to lead international, multi-institutional research. How do we make learning experiences meaningful for all students? To explore this question, the Center’s 2021-2023 research seminar focuses on five conditions consistently identified as key characteristics for meaningful learning:

  • Meaningful relationships, including substantive interaction with faculty/staff mentors and peers, and development of diverse networks;
  • Connections to broader contexts, including practice in real-world applications of students’ developing knowledge and skills;
  • Frequent feedback on both work-in-progress and final products;
  • Opportunities for reflection; and
  • Integration of prior learning and experiences.

The 2021-2024 CEL Student Scholars will collaborate with an international team of researchers to learn more about each of these characteristics.

During three consecutive summers (2021, 2022, 2023), CEL Student Scholars will…

During the academic years (2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024), CEL Student Scholars will…

  • Receive a $1,000 stipend each semester as compensation for the Student Scholar’s work during the academic year;
  • Collaborate in 1-hour meetings every other week with the seminar co-leaders;
  • Join other CEL Student Scholars and the CEL Director for a 1-hour meeting every other week to discuss engaged learning research and practices, strategies for studying engaged learning, and other cross-seminar topics; and
  • Spend an additional 1-2 hours a week completing research tasks;

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.

Accepted CEL Student Scholars can discuss with the CEL Director and their advisor whether they wish to register for 499 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.

Questions? Please contact CEL’s Director, Dr. Jessie L. Moore (jmoore28@elon.ed).