Every semester CELO trains a cohort of Service-Learning Teaching Assistants (SLTAs) in the pedagogy and practice of service-learning. These SLTAs are placed directly in designated SL courses to help the students, faculty, and community partners develop strong, meaningful partnerships that benefit everyone involved. Becoming a Service-Learning TA is a great way to gain professional experience, work directly with faculty and students, and make a difference in your community.

More about the SLTA program and how to apply

To work more closely with a community partner or local employer, students can complete a Service-Learning Internship for academic credit. Contact Tom Wilson (tom.wilson@uvm.edu) in the CELO Office to learn more.

Research at UVM happens beyond the lab, and there are many opportunities to conduct research in and with communities. You can win funding or earn academic credit for research in collaboration with a community partner.

Undergraduate Research Fellowships

The Office of Undergraduate Research offers summer fellowships for community-based research in partnership with CELO. Work with your professors and/or community partners to develop proposals for Undergraduate Research Fellowships, which provide funding for collaborative research projects.

• Learn more about the Simon Family Fellowship for Public Research, which provides summer funding (including living expenses) and read about past scholarship winners. (See sidebar for an example of a Simon Scholarship.)
• Apply for the Public Impact Research Award, for students who are engaged in a research-based internship.
• Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research funding opportunities page to learn about other fellowship opportunities.
• For local research, connect with the Center for Research on Vermont to become a Green Mountain Student Summer Scholar, or submit a VT-based research paper to receive a $250 Nuquist or Bryan Award.

Student Research Conference

If you conduct research as part of a service-learning course, consider presenting your project at UVM's Student Research Conference (SRC). The SRC showcases the research and scholarly activity of undergraduate, graduate and medical students across campus. All students working on a research or creative project with a UVM faculty member are eligible to present some aspect of their research at this forum. The event also serves as a resource for students who are not yet involved with research but wish to learn about how to engage in research pursuits.

Service-learning doesn't just happen in Burlington; you can travel around the world and engage more deeply in the country you visit through community engagement. Some UVM service-learning courses can involve international travel. In addition, you can pursue service-learning opportunities in study abroad programs.

Travel Study

You can pursue service-learning opportunities as part of a study abroad program – including UVM's Costa Rica Semester Abroad – or enroll in one of several travel study courses taught as service-learning, including in the Bahamas, Uganda, St. Lucia, Mexico, and more.