Civic Engagement Fellowships

In response to an anonymous gift to the College of St. Benedict, the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement is pleased to offer up to nine student fellowships at $4,000 each for full-time summer civic engagement projects. While not required, students may elect to use a portion of this to pay for room and board on campus. Students will not be allowed to have any other paid employment during the ten weeks of the fellowship.

The fellowship will relate to public policy, politics, and/or community service and will be hosted by an off-campus organization in Minnesota. All fellowships will involve civic engagement or work devoted to improving community life or the common good through political or non political activities.

Eligible students will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in 2008-2009. Graduating seniors are not eligible. Students will work full-time beginning June 2, 2008 and continuing through August 15, 2008. Students may elect to earn credits but will have to pay for these and will be assessed on an individual basis.

Prior to starting their fellowship, the Civic Engagement Fellows must participate in a training seminar on May 6, 2008. Twice a month, the Civic Engagement Fellows will meet as a group with the co-directors (Matt Lindstrom and Marah Jacobson-Schulte). Our bi-monthly seminars, usually held on campus, will involve discussion of fellowships, leadership training, and periodically include guest lectures from community and state leaders as well as study tours to student sites and visits with other community leaders and sites.

If you have questions or comments contact Matt Lindstrom, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement (363-3364 or mlindstrom@csbsju.edu) or Marah Jacobson-Schulte, Service-Learning Coordinator (363-5117 or mjacobsonsc@csbsju.edu).

Applications are due Thursday April 24, 2008 by 4pm.

Students will be selected based on the following items:

1. A cover letter explaining student interest and type of civic engagement work they desire. This should explain why there is a need for this type of civic engagement. Letters must also indicate a willingness and ability to attend bi-monthly seminars on campus and discuss their fellowship at a public forum to be held in the fall. In addition, the cover letter must state that students will not have any other employment if awarded this fellowship.
2. Resume indicating relevant paid and unpaid work/volunteer experiences, relevant class or other training, conferences or workshops attended, honors and awards, public talks or media involvement, and other skills such as languages or computer skills
3. Two letters of recommendation
4. Description of past service and leadership experience
5. Current transcript
6. Interview with co-directors of the fellowship