Summer of EngageMNt

 

Mobilizing University of Minnesota students to meet community needs through volunteer opportunities

June 7 through July 31, 2021

 

The Summer of EngageMNt program provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from across the University's five campus system to apply and develop their leadership skills in response to current and emerging community needs. The initiative is coordinated by the University's Office for Public Engagement (OPE), in collaboration with the Center for Community-Engaged Learning (CCEL).
 
Participating students are matched with community partners to work on service assignments that address a broad range of societal issues. The program also includes weekly education and reflection sessions led by staff members from OPE and CCEL.
 
For more information, contact CCEL at [email protected].

Community member application

Program Information

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What are the program requirements?

All participating students are required to volunteer and log at least three hours per week, for a total of 24 hours for the Summer of EngageMNt program. In addition, particpants are required to attend eight weekly meetings (or view recorded Zoom sessions and respond to discussion questions). The meetings are scheduled 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. for the following dates:

  1. Tuesday, June 8
  2. Wednesday, June 16
  3. Tuesday, June 22
  4. Wednesday, June 30
  5. Tuesday, July 6
  6. Wednesday, July 14
  7. Tuesday, July 20
  8. Wednesday, July 28

Students who complete all the program requirements will receive a digital badge. The digital badge can be promoted on your personal social media platforms and resume. The badge provides:

  • Certification: a digital badge shows potential employers that you have up-to-date and relevant skills.
  • Validation: a digital badge verifies your participation in program on your resume or CV.
  • Transparency: future employers can learn key details about the content of your participation in the program.

What type of volunteer opportunities are available?

Summer of EngageMNt volunteers will have the opportunity to volunteer and/or engage with the community virtually through University of Minnesota partner organizations. Opportunities will be offered related to a variety of social issues such as education, advocacy and policy, hunger and homelessness, and environmental justice. 

Do student participants need any special skills to participate?

Volunteer opportunities can range from requiring no special skills to requiring certified training and prior experience. As a participant you will have the option to select an opportunity that meets your interests and skills.

Where do the volunteer activities take place?

At this time, all activities are conducted remotely.   

How do I find service opportunities once I am registered for the program?

Volunteering starts the week of June 7, in order to faciltate your placement in advance you must select a volunteer opportunity by Friday, May 28. For many organizations, there are limited volunteer opportunities. In order to match your interests, we encrouage you to select a volunteer experience as early as possible. You will receive information on how to view available opportunities and select a site after the application closes on Monday, May 17th.

How do I log hours throughout the program?

You will be tracking your hours on https://ccel-app.umn.edu. You will receive detailed instructions on how to log hours once the program begins. You can also watch this brief video for a step by step guide on how to log your hours.