The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites applications from current Elon University second-year students for a two-year (Summer 2021 – Spring 2023) research collaboration on (Re)Examining Conditions for Meaningful Learning Experiences. Accepted CEL Student Scholars will collaborate with three Elon University faculty (Dr. Eric Hall, Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital, and Dr. Jessie L. Moore) to lead international, multi-institutional research on this engaged learning topic.

How do we make learning experiences meaningful for all students? To explore this question, the Center’s 2021-2023 research seminar focuses on five conditions consistently identified as key characteristics for meaningful learning:

• Meaningful relationships, including substantive interaction with faculty/staff mentors and peers, and development of diverse networks;
• Connections to broader contexts, including practice in real-world applications of students’ developing knowledge and skills;
• Frequent feedback on both work-in-progress and final products;
• Opportunities for reflection; and
• Integration of prior learning and experiences.

The 2021-2023 CEL Student Scholar will collaborate with an international team of researchers to learn more about each of these characteristics.

During two consecutive summers (2021, 2022), 2021-2023 CEL Student Scholars will…

• Receive a $3,000 summer stipend as compensation for the Student Scholar’s work during the summer;
• Have access to double-occupancy, on-campus, summer housing;
• Participate in a week-long research seminar meeting with faculty and staff from Elon and 18 other colleges and universities in Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States;
• Attend (and during second summer, present at) the Conference on Engaged Learning;
• Collaborate in weekly meetings with the seminar co-leaders and/or the CEL Director to advance the research project, collaborate on resources, and learn about strategies for studying engaged learning; and
• Have opportunities to attend events with other undergraduate researchers.

During the academic years (2021-2022, 2022-2023), CEL Student Scholars will…

• Receive a $1,000 stipend each semester as compensation for the Student Scholar’s work during the academic year;
• Collaborate in 1-hour meetings every other week with the seminar co-leaders;
• Join other CEL Student Scholars and the CEL Director for a 1-hour meeting every other week to discuss engaged learning research and practices, strategies for studying engaged learning, and other cross-seminar topics; and
• Spend an additional 1-2 hours a week completing research tasks;

CEL Student Scholars will have opportunities to present and publish on their research and will join an international community of scholars interested in engaged learning.

Eligibility

The CEL Student Scholar program is open to current Elon University second-year students (during the 2020-2021 academic year) from any major. Applicants should have an interest in engaged learning in higher education (broadly) and in the 2021-2023 research topic  –  (Re)Examining Conditions for Meaningful Learning Experiences.

Second-year students apply in spring (Spring 2021) to begin the program in the summer between their second and third years (Summer 2021).

Application Guidelines

To apply, submit the following materials by April 23, 2021:

• A letter of application, and
• A supporting letter of recommendation from an Elon University faculty or staff member.

Letter of Application

Your letter of application should:

• Describe your interest in the research topic  –  (Re)Examining Conditions for Meaningful Learning Experiences – and in collaborating with faculty to lead international research about engaged learning;
• Briefly introduce your major (and any minors), as well as other campus, community, or workplace activities that shape who you are; and
• Reflect on what you would hope to gain from this two-year research collaboration.

Submit an electronic copy of your letter of application to CEL Director, Dr. Jessie L. Moore (jmoore28@elon.edu), by April 23, 2021.

Supporting Letter of Recommendation

Your supporting letter of recommendation should come from an Elon University faculty or staff member who can speak to:

• Your preparation for undertaking this mentored research opportunity; and
• Contributions you might make to the program, through both your collaboration with CEL’s research seminar participants and your interactions with other CEL Student Scholars.

The Elon University faculty or staff member writing your supporting letter of recommendation should submit an electronic copy of the letter to CEL Director, Dr. Jessie L. Moore (jmoore28@elon.edu), by April 23, 2021.