Become a Fellow

• Community Placements: Each Community Engagement Fellow is placed in a paid two-year, four semester internship working with an organization (most frequently nonprofit organizations) in the Carlisle area. Fellows gain an increased understanding of the community’s needs and the ways our community works together to tackle big challenges. Community partners serve as mentors throughout the internship, and students gain experience working in organizations. Placements vary based on skills and interest area; over time Fellows generally grow within the organization to focus on a specialist area. See our current placements and open positions for examples. 
• Campus Training & Enrichment: Community Engagement Fellows participate in ongoing campus-based civic leadership development opportunities and trainings through retreats and weekly meetings. Students develop and build on leadership skills that enhance one’s work within the community and classroom. Students participate in intentional leadership training seminars, meet alumni and other professionals in related fields and share in group and personal reflection, connecting their service, classwork, and personal growth.    
• Academic Connections:  Community Engagement Fellows are expected to make connections between their classwork, community placements and personal goals. In the first year, Fellows work on their own or in groups to create a presentation for the Civic Engagement Symposium that connects their community work to larger research and policy issues. In the second year, students choose a Community-Connected Course, meeting with their faculty member to discuss connections between what they’re learning in class to what they observe in the community. The Fellows then complete a reflection paper, and have the option to present this at the Civic Engagement Symposium as well. For more details on Academic Connections and assignments, view the assignments section of the Current Fellows Page. 
• Internship Notation Program: Community Engagement Fellows enroll in the Internship Notation Program using their community placement as their internship in the second year of the program. Students complete their usual program hours and assignments, and as part of the INP program complete a reflective curriculum. Following completion of the fellowship and INP assignments that semester, the internship is noted on the student’s transcript. Fellows may choose to complete the INP in either the fall or spring semester of their second year in the program. More information is available on the INP website. 

• Commitment to participate for two academic years, provided successful completion of performance review in the first year. 
• Commitment to work 6-8 hours per week (average) during each semester on site with community partner organizations; in addition to participation in mandatory training (about 1 hour per week – see the Current Fellows Page for current schedule). 
• Completion of all CEF and Internship Notation Program assignments (INP is in the second year of the program. Examples of CEF assignments include: site visit with CEF staff and community partner; reflection papers in second year; and performance evaluations). 
• Completion of clearances (background check) as required for some sites (see position descriptions for details). 
• Maintenance of a minimum 2.5 GPA. 
• Adherence to academic and behavioral expectations as stated by Dickinson college's Community Standards (maintenance of good standing with the College). 

• Attend an Information Session (optional) – check EngageD for upcoming sessions! 
• Complete the online application for the program – applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Please note, the application requires the upload of a resume and responses to short answer questions, as well as interview availability. 
• If selected, prospective Fellows will have interviews with community partners. 
• Upon matching with a placement, Fellows must complete online hire paperwork with Dickinson’s Student Employment Office.  
• Questions about the application process can be directed to Laura Megivern, Director of Community Engagement at CCLA.

Below is a typical four-semester timeline for the program. Our ongoing campus training and enrichment takes place each Thursday during Common Hour (noon-1pm); groups vary by week with at least one meeting per month being for all fellows, and others split by year in the program. For specific dates and assignments for the current year, please check the Current Fellows page.

During the spring semester of Year 2, if the Fellow and community partner organization are interested in continuing the placement into a third (or fourth) year, these positions can be proposed. Year 3 and 4 positions are contingent on funding availability as well as student and host organization interest.

• Are first-year students eligible? Yes, first year students are eligible to participate in the Community Engagement Fellows program – this is one of the few exemptions to the on-campus dining jobs rule. 
• Do you have to have federal work study? No. Both federal work study and non-federal work study can apply. 
• Can international students apply? Yes. Students are paid through Dickinson College while working at organizations in Carlisle, which is allowable under student visas. For questions on this, visit the Student Employment page.  
• How many hours do you work? 6-8 hours per week on average at your organization and one hour per week on campus in training during the semester. Work during breaks and between semesters is not expected. 
• What is the schedule? Hours at community host placements vary depending on student class schedules and organization needs. Some organizations have set hour needs (for example, after school programs), while others are more flexible. Most students set a schedule, 6-8 hours per week, and adjust as needed based on organization events as well as academic needs (exam schedules, etc.). Additionally, Fellows attend weekly meetings during common hour on Thursdays as well as a few annual training events on campus. See the schedule on the Current Fellows page for more details. 
• Is it a paid position? Yes. Students work paid hours at their placement and during training on campus. 
• How long is the program? Four semesters (two years), with optional extension for a third or fourth year. 
• Can you be a Community Engagement Fellow and study abroad? Yes. If studying abroad during their time in program, students are expected to complete the program upon returning to campus. 
• What is the work like? Work looks different at each placement and evolves over the student’s time there. In many cases, students begin helping with administrative tasks as they learn about their host organizations, then specialize and take on projects as they gain more experience. 
• I have other questions! Who can I ask? Feel free to get in touch with us via email and set up a time to chat, in person or remotely.