CCEL Fellows

About the Program

The Case Western Reserve University CCEL Fellows Program provides meaningful service learning opportunities during the academic year for first and second year CWRU undergraduate students to work with Cleveland area non-profit organizations to address community needs.

While serving the community and gaining experience in non-profit work, the fellows also will participate in regular seminars to increase their understanding of community issues and effective civic engagement. The program activities are designed to foster a sense of place about Cleveland and a commitment to the community among participating students.

The Fellows Program focuses on the following goals:

  • building capacity of local non-profit organizations
  • providing civic engagement opportunities from which students can build a life-long commitment to service
  • providing leadership training and experience for university students
  • creating a sense of place and an understanding of the vibrant community of Cleveland, including its neighborhoods, cultural treasures, current challenges, and assets

Academic Year Fellows Program

The CCEL Fellows Program provides first and second year CWRU undergraduate students with meaningful service learning experiences that allow them to build their civic leadership skills while providing the foundation for ongoing involvement in the Cleveland community. This program includes three major components:

  • Through their Community Partner Placement, CCEL Fellows are placed in pairs or small groups at local nonprofits where they serve approximately 3 hours a week. Fellows receive a stipend for hours spent at their community partner placement.
  • The Civic Leadership Seminars focus on building CCEL Fellows' understanding of civic engagement and leadership. 
  • CCEL Fellows serve as student leaders during Saturday of Service. This includes serving as a project and reflection leader for a specific service site. Fellows will be required to attend a project leader training to prepare them for their leadership role.

Community Partner Placement

Student fellows are matched in pairs or small groups at nonprofit organizations in Cleveland. Each fellow will serve approximately three hours per week at their site. Fellows receive a small stipend of $9.20/hour for their service.

Civic Leadership Seminars

The Civic Leadership Seminars focus on building CCEL Fellows' understanding of civic engagement and leadership with a focus on exploring the Best Practices of Community Engagement. Throughout the semester, students will meet as a team for seminars which will include discussion and reflection on community issues, field trips to explore Cleveland, and guest speakers. Seminars are an unpaid learning opportunity and participation is required of all fellows.

Additional Information

For more information, please contact Betsy Banks.

Accessibility

CCEL is committed to providing all students with opportunities to take full advantage of our programs. Our staff recognizes that students with documented disabilities may require reasonable accommodations in order to achieve this objective. If you are interested in taking part in a specific project but have questions related to accommodations and/or the accessibility of a site, please contact the office of Disability Resources (216.368.5230 or disability@case.edu), and they will work with a representative from our office to answer your questions.