The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites applications from current Elon University first-year students for a three-year (Summer 2024 – Spring 2027) research collaboration on Affirming and Inclusive Engaged Learning for Neurodivergent Learners. Accepted CEL Student Scholars will collaborate with three Elon University faculty – Dr. Caroline Ketcham, Dr. Stephen Byrd, and Dr. Jessie L. Moore – and Dr. Joanna Rankin, Associate Professor in the Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies (CRDS) at the University of Calgary, to lead international, multi-institutional research on this engaged learning topic.

The Center’s 2024-2026 research seminar investigates:

• Neurodivergent students’ perspectives and experiences in engaged learning, 
• Reimagined institutional structures and processes to support more affirming and inclusive engaged learning experiences, and 
• Systematic change in higher education to promote affirming and inclusive engaged learning in and beyond academia.  

The 2024-2027 CEL Student Scholars will collaborate with an international team of researchers to learn more about systems, supports, pathways, and pipelines for neurodivergent students to facilitate access to and participation in high-quality engaged learning experiences.

During three consecutive summers (2024, 2025, 2026), 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- or single-occupancy, on-campus, summer housing;
• Participate in a week-long research seminar meeting with faculty and staff participants from colleges and universities around the globe;
• Attend (and during second and third summers, 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 (2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027), CEL Student Scholars will…

• Receive a $1,000 stipend each semester as compensation for the Student Scholar’s work during the academic year;
• Participate in weekly meetings:
  • Collaborating in 1-hour meetings every other week with the seminar co-leaders;
  • Joining other CEL Student Scholars and the CEL Director for a 1-hour meeting during the alternate weeks 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.