2026-2027 Community-Engaged Scholars Fellowship Program Application

The Office of Outreach and Engagement is pleased to support UConn’s strategic goals of Promoting Holistic Student Success, Expanding Research Impact, and Powering a Thriving Connecticut through the Community-Engaged Scholars Fellowship Program. As Connecticut’s public flagship and land-grant university, UConn is committed to preparing students to address complex societal challenges through meaningful partnerships with communities. The fellowship reflects the vision articulated in UConn’s Envisioning 2034 Strategic Plan and aligns with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ 2026 report, Public Purpose, Renewed: Future-Leading Engagement in Higher Education, which calls on universities to strengthen their public purpose by integrating community engagement into teaching, learning, and scholarship.

Community-engaged teaching and learning is an educational approach that combines academic learning with reciprocal partnerships and experiences beyond the classroom. Through this year-long fellowship, faculty will explore theories, frameworks, and best practices in community-engaged pedagogy while developing or enhancing courses and learning experiences that connect students with community partners to address real-world challenges. Fellows will learn how to design high-impact educational experiences that deepen student learning, foster civic and professional development, and generate meaningful benefits for community partners.

Fellows will meet regularly during the spring semester to learn the theory and practice of community-engaged teaching and learning. Participants will receive individualized support to develop reciprocal community partnerships and adapt or create course syllabi that align with both learning objectives and community priorities. Fellows will then implement their courses in the summer, fall, or following spring semester and continue to meet during the fall to discuss progress, share experiences, and address challenges related to partnership-based teaching and learning.

The Fellowship Provides

Participants in the Community-Engaged Scholars Fellowship will receive:

• A year-long cohort-based professional development experience focused on community-engaged teaching and learning.
• Training in the theories, principles, and best practices of community-engaged pedagogy, including community-based learning, partnership development, reflection, and assessment.
• Individualized mentorship and consultation from experienced community-engaged faculty and staff throughout the fellowship year.
• Assistance in creating, revising, or enhancing a community-engaged course, project, or learning experience.
• Support in identifying, cultivating, and sustaining reciprocal partnerships with community organizations and agencies.
• Opportunities to engage with an interdisciplinary cohort of faculty committed to student success, civic learning, and community impact.
• Access to resources, readings, tools, and examples that support effective community-engaged teaching and learning.
• Ongoing participation in a community of practice dedicated to advancing community-engaged teaching and learning at UConn.

Fellowship Support and Funding

Fellows are eligible to receive up to $1,000 in course development support, contingent upon participation in required fellowship activities. Funding may be received through one of the following mechanisms:

Option 1: KSF Transfer

• Transfer of up to $1,000 to a faculty research account.
• Fellows selecting this option must provide a KSF account number.

Option 2: Special Payroll

• Compensation processed as summer salary or overload.
• Subject to eligibility based on appointment structure, time of year, and university earnings limitations.
• Funding is inclusive of fringe benefits.

Option 3: Course Development Support

• Direct support administered by the Office of Outreach and Engagement for approved course development expenses.
• Eligible expenses may include professional development opportunities, conferences, books, instructional materials, guest speakers, outsourced services, community partnership activities, and other approved course-related expenses.
• Fellows selecting this option should consult with the Office of Outreach and Engagement prior to making purchases or commitments.

Please note that special payroll and overload compensation are subject to university policies and eligibility requirements.

Benefits of Participation

Faculty members accepted into the program will participate in an intellectually stimulating environment where they can exchange ideas with colleagues across diverse disciplines and learn from fellow participants’ experiences. Through collaborative learning and individualized support, Fellows will strengthen their capacity to integrate community engagement into their teaching and create meaningful learning experiences for students.

By the conclusion of the fellowship, participants will have developed or enhanced a community-engaged course, project, or learning experience and will possess practical tools and resources to establish and sustain meaningful community partnerships. Fellows will also become part of a growing network of UConn faculty committed to advancing student success, civic learning, and community engagement.

Community-Engaged Scholars Fellowship Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Design and implement a new community-engaged course, project, or learning experience that connects students with community partners.
• Revise and strengthen an existing community-engaged course using evidence-based and equity-centered pedagogical practices.
• Develop reciprocal and sustainable partnerships that enhance student learning and community outcomes.
• Integrate best practices in reflection, assessment, and community engagement into course design and implementation.

Community-Engaged Scholars Fellowship Learning Outcomes

By the end of the fellowship, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of theories, frameworks, and principles that inform community-engaged teaching and learning.
• Design courses and learning experiences that integrate academic content with community-engaged practice.
• Apply best practices in community engagement to create impactful, reciprocal, and sustainable partnerships.
• Develop and sustain collaborations with community organizations that support student learning and community priorities.
• Implement effective reflection and assessment strategies that promote student learning, civic development, and critical thinking.
• Evaluate and communicate the impact of community-engaged teaching and learning on students, partners, and communities.
• Contribute to UConn’s public mission through community-engaged teaching and learning.

Fellowship Expectations

To successfully complete the fellowship and receive funding, Fellows are expected to:

• Participate in scheduled fellowship workshops and cohort meetings.
• Develop or substantially enhance a community-engaged course or learning experience.
• Collaborate with community partners to design reciprocal and mutually beneficial learning opportunities.
• Implement the course within one academic year of completing the fellowship.
• Share reflections, challenges, and successes with the fellowship cohort.
• Complete requested program assessments and fellowship deliverables.

Potential Fellowship Topics

• Workshops will be responsive to the needs and desires of the cohort. A list of potential topics is included below.

• Foundations of Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning
  • Community-Engaged Course and Syllabus Design
  • Building and Sustaining Community Partnerships
  • Reflection Strategies for Student Learning
  • Assessment and Evaluation of Community-Engaged Learning
  • Publishing the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Important Dates

Spring 2027

Pre-Semester Intensive Training and Retreat | January 30, 9 am –4 pm EST | Location TBD  *If there is inclement weather on January 30, we will reschedule for Saturday, February 6^th.

Theme: Foundations for Designing a Community-Engaged Course

Purpose: Group Faculty in SL theory and practice, guide syllabus development, and      relationship building

Workshop 1 | Friday, February 19, 2027, 2:30 pm – 4:00 PM

Workshop 2 | Friday, March 5, 2027, 2:30 pm -4:00 pm

Workshop 3 | Friday, April 9, 2027, 2:30 pm -4:00 pm

Workshop 4 | Friday, May 14, 2027, TBD | Community Partner Visit | Half-Day with Luch

Fall 2027

Workshop 5 | Friday, September 10, 2027, 2:30 pm -4:00 pm

Workshop 6 | Friday, October 8, 2027, 2:30 pm -4:00 pm

Workshop 7 | November 12, 2027, 2:30 pm -4:00 pm

Workshop 8 | December 10, 2027, 2:30- 4:00 pm | Celebration

Applications for the 2027 cohort are due Friday, December 11, 2026, and are to be submitted via Kuali Build for review by the Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning Committee. Fellows will be notified of acceptance in early January.

Email engagement@uconn.edu with any questions.