The 2023-24 Scholars with program staff outside, all wearing matching grey CESP jackets and smiling.Program Overview

The MSU Community Engagement Scholars Program is an initiative offered by the Center for Community Engaged Learning and the Office of the President in partnership with community organizations in Michigan. Students selected as Scholars will be paired with a primary community organization(s) to continue our partnership or to complete projects or other opportunities of interest to the community organization.

The scope of the student project can range from project management and infrastructure to communications and data collection, with additional opportunities to serve with neighborhood/community/economic development organizations and other local nonprofits!

Students will develop and engage in the CESP cohort. Together, scholars will design and implement a cohort project, participate in professional development workshops, take part in reflective learning, and learn from one another.

Learn more about the Community Engagement Scholars Program with our brief informational video.

 

Scholar Position Specifics

  • 10 undergraduate positions available
  • Program runs from August 2025-April 2026
  • Education stipend/project pay (approximately $2500/semester)
  • 15 hours average/week. This includes cohort meetings as well as no less than a 12 hour/week commitment at a partner site with a community partner organization. The majority of this time will be scheduled between 8am-6pm, Monday-Friday with some/limited evening and weekend availability.
  • Required cohort meetings twice monthly for professional development and reflective learning
  • Scholar will be required to contribute to an ongoing reflection portfolio throughout the program
  • Transportation resources provided
  • Pre-Engagement Training and Orientation required

Applications are now closed. Please check back next year!

 

2025-26 CESP Graduate CoordinatorA headshot of 2025-26 CESP Graduate Coordinator Madge Bolek

Madge Bolek

Madge (she/her/hers) is a first year Masters of Social work student from Traverse City, Michigan. She graduated from MSU in the summer of 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and two minors in Human Behavior and Social Services and Youth and Society. In a gap year between her undergraduate and master's program, she served as a college adviser for Michigan State College Advising Corps in two small rural schools. Now, she is entering the Master of Social Work program at MSU, with a concentration in child welfare as a Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellow. Madge hopes her skills as a college adviser will help her do well as the graduate coordinator for the Community Engagement Scholars Program, and she is excited to be in a position where she can be a support person for both undergrad Scholars and the community.

 

2025-26 Scholars