Applications for the 2026-2029 cohort of CEL Student Scholars are due April 6, 2026.
The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites applications from current Elon University first-year students for a three-year (Summer 2026 – Spring 2029) research collaboration on Rethinking Engaged Learning in the Age of GenAI.
Many high-profile discussions about GenAI in higher education focus on the extremes—avoiding all AI or adopting AI for all activities. However, GenAI use falls along a more complex spectrum, and disciplinary standards should inform students’ development of critical GenAI literacy. Across disciplines, novice users initially might understand GenAI as a neutral tool. As engaged learners develop more expertise with GenAI, they might critically reflect on how GenAI could augment their work—or even view GenAI as a collaborator. Given this complex context, research on GenAI in higher education engaged learning must attend to GenAI use beyond higher education to prepare students to apply critical GenAI literacy in their professional, civic and personal lives. Together, we’ll investigate:
- What higher education learning entails in the age of GenAI;
- GenAI’s (potential) role as a collaborator in teaching and learning;
- Decision processes for when and how to use GenAI as a collaboration partner;
- Assessing learning in an age of GenAI support; and
- Professional learning needs and strategies for students, faculty, and staff to support critical GenAI literacy.
Accepted CEL Student Scholars will collaborate with three Elon University faculty – Amanda Sturgill, Aaron Trocki and Jessie L. Moore to lead international, multi-institutional research on this engaged learning topic.
Eligibility
The CEL Student Scholar program is open to current Elon University first-year students (during the 2025-26 academic year) from any major. Applicants should have an interest in engaged learning in higher education (broadly) and in the 2026-2029 research topic—Rethinking Engaged Learning in the Age of GenAI.
First-year students apply in spring (Spring 2026) to begin the program in the summer between their first and second years (Summer 2026).
What Will CEL Student Scholars Do?
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.
Read more about the CEL Student Scholar experiences from current and past scholars on this blog.
During three consecutive summers (e.g., 2026, 2027, 2028), CEL Student Scholars will:
- Co-lead the 2026-2029 research seminar on Rethinking Engaged Learning in the Age of GenAI, providing the student perspective in sessions with seminar participants;
- Receive a $3,000 summer stipend as compensation for the Student Scholar’s work during the summer;
- Have access to double or single-occupancy, on-campus, summer housing;
- Participate in a week-long research seminar meeting with faculty and staff from Elon and other colleges and universities around the globe, with all meals provided throughout the week;
- 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;
- Join other CEL Student Scholars and the CEL Director for weekly meetings to discuss student-faculty partnership, engaged learning research and practices, strategies for studying engaged learning, and other cross-seminar topics; and
- Have opportunities to attend events with other undergraduate researchers and other CEL research seminar teams, often with meals provided.
During their second, third, and fourth academic years (e.g., 2026-2027, 2027-2028, 2028-2029), 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 two meetings a week, scheduled to accommodate CEL Student Scholars’ availability during the day:
- Collaborate in one-hour meetings every week with the seminar co-leaders;
- Join other CEL Student Scholars and the CEL Director for a one-hour meeting every week to discuss engaged learning research and practices, strategies for studying engaged learning, and other cross-seminar topics;
- Check in with research seminar teams via Zoom a few times each year; and
- Spend an additional 1-2 hours a week completing research tasks.
Typically, 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.
Application Guidelines
To apply, submit the following materials by April 6, 2026:
- A letter of application, and
- A supporting letter of recommendation from an Elon University faculty or staff member.
Letter of Application
Your letter of application (approximately two pages) should:
- Describe your interest in the research topic—Rethinking Engaged Learning in the Age of GenAI—and in collaborating with faculty to lead international research about engaged learning;
- Briefly introduce your major (and any minors), as well as other campus, community, or workplace activities that shape who you are; and
- Reflect on what you would hope to gain from this three-year research collaboration.
Submit an electronic copy of your letter of application to CEL Director, Jessie L. Moore (jmoore28@elon.edu), by April 6, 2026.
Supporting Letter of Recommendation
Your supporting letter of recommendation should come from an Elon University faculty or staff member who can speak to:
- Your preparation for undertaking this mentored research opportunity; and
- Contributions you might make to the program, through both your collaboration with CEL’s research seminar participants and your interactions with other CEL Student Scholars.
The Elon University faculty or staff member writing your supporting letter of recommendation should submit an electronic copy of the letter to CEL Director, Jessie L. Moore (jmoore28@elon.edu), by April 6, 2026.
Learn More
Learn more about the CEL Student Scholars program on the Center’s website. Please direct questions about the program to CEL Director, Jessie L. Moore (jmoore28@elon.edu).