DUGC Student Scholars
Do you want to help solve the world’s most complex problems, but you're not sure how?
Do you ever wonder how your academic learning can prepare you to create the change you want to see in the world? This is exactly what the Student Scholar program offers you—the experience, the support, the tools, and funding to make a difference your way. When you become a Student Scholar, you can build your own unique path toward social change work that reflects your passions and interests.
What will you experience as a Student Scholar?
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DUGC Student Scholars work with mentors to create individually tailored personal and professional development plans related to social change work. Your mentor will help you find events and trainings throughout your experience that help you build out your personal social change toolbox. You'll also have access to all CCESL trainings and events including Community Organizing 101 & 201, Zine-making for Social Change, Poetry Inquiry & Social Change, and more.
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All DUGC Student Scholars are paired with a mentor from the Community-Engaged Fellows program. Community-Engaged Fellows are advanced students from a range of disciplines who have knowledge and experience in social change work. Your mentor is there to support your journey. They'll help you develop plans, connect you with resources, and guide you in critical reflection activities to help make meaning of your experience.
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With your mentor, you'll create a social justice action plan that you will implement over your time as a Student Scholar. You can create an independent project or plug into one of DU Grand Challenges' current projects. You'll also have access to funds and resources to support your work.
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Scholars develop critical reflection ePortfolios that document their learning and public good identity development. The ePortfolio will serve as a tangible and clear representation of their public identity and potential to contribute to complex public problem-solving. Throughout your experience, you'll collect artifacts from your experiences as a means to reflect on your public good identity.
"My experience working with DUGC Student Scholars has led me to think about issues at both a systemwide level and personal one. This is different from previous iterations of my thinking because I have been forced to think through lenses other than my own. Discussions at forums and other community events have allowed me to put faces to experiences, seeing an issue through someone else's story. My research has also allowed me to look at system wide changes and problems outside of my own personal stake."
—Third year student, Political Science & Public Policy
Featured Scholars
Kelly Bonk
Kelly is a fourth year student majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish.
Kelly's Portfolio
Maddie Heiken
Maddie is a third year student majoring in Theater and with a double minor in Leadership Studies and Gender and Women's Studies.
Madalyne's Portfolio
Become a Scholar!
The DUGC Student Scholars application is now open. Apply now!
If you'd like to chat with a DU Grand Challenges staff member about Student Scholars or other opportunities, please drop us a line at DU.GrandChallenges@du.edu.