Call for Student Nominations: 2024 Community Engagement in Education Awards

Do you know a student who has done outstanding work in their SL/CE courses this semester? Give them a chance to be recognized with an award at our 2024 Celebration of Community Engaged Education!

Read on for event details and full nomination instructions for student awards. For faculty/staff and community partner award information, click here.


Event Information

2024 Celebration of Community Engaged Education – Thursday, April 4, 3pm-5pm | Smith Boardroom | Health Education Complex

Join us as we celebrate outstanding achievements in Community Engagement by our faculty, staff, students and community partners here at Upstate for the ’23-’24 academic year.

Award Information and Nomination Instructions

Application Deadline: February 28, 2024

General Information

Each award includes a cash prize. Awards will be contingent on the quality of the application and available funds; therefore, some awards may be presented to multiple recipients, while other awards may not be presented. While preference is given to first‐time awardees, previous winners are encouraged to reapply, particularly with new project/program developments. Outstanding applicants may be awarded in more than one category.

For detailed information on eligibility, decision criteria, and the application process for each award, click on the award title below.

Send questions, comments, and suggested nominees to ServiceLearning@uscupstate.edu

Underclassman Excellence in Community Engaged Education Leadership Award – $100

Award Details (Click to Expand)

Award Amount

  • $100

Eligibility

  • Freshman or Sophomore standing
  • Enrolled student in good standing at USC Upstate
  • Completed at least one full semester (12 hours) at USC Upstate
  • Earned, or currently earning, an “B” or better in at least one designated SL, SE, or CE course at USC Upstate
  • Self-nominations are accepted pending support from at least one of your SL/CE instructors

Nomination Procedure

  • Email a nomination statement with the student’s name & email address, the award you are nominating them for, and why they should be selected 
  • Nominees will be invited to:
    • solicit an instructor’s endorsement
    • list SL, SE, & CE courses they have taken
    • add their own reflective statement (~200 words)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome; simply include the items listed above 

Decision Criteria

  • Number and substance of SL/CE courses taken (SL holds the most weight; CE the least) 
  • Positive and sustained community impact connected to SL/CE courses
  • Proactive, professional, and meaningful engagement with specific community partner(s)
  • Demonstrated excellence in NACE competencies AND in leading others into action both on and or off campus
  • Instructor recommendation from the instructor of at least one SL/CE course 
  • Institutional GPA OR GPA in the preceding 6 months (applicant’s choice)
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees

Upperclassman Excellence in Community Engaged Education Leadership Award – $100

Award Details (Click to Expand)

Award Amount

  • $100

Eligibility

  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Enrolled student, in good standing, at USC Upstate
  • Completed at least two full semesters (24 hours) at USC Upstate
  • Earned, or currently earning, an “B” or better in at least one designated SL, SE, or CE course at USC Upstate 
  • Self‐nominations are accepted, pending support from at least one of your SL/CE instructors

Nomination Procedure

  • Email a nomination statement with the student’s name & email address, the award you are nominating them for, and why they should be selected 
  • Nominees will be invited to:
    • solicit an instructor’s endorsement
    • list SL, SE, & CE courses they have taken
    • add their own reflective statement (~200 words)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome; simply include the items listed above

Decision Criteria

  • Number and substance of SL/CE courses taken (SL holds the most weight; CE the least) 
  • Positive and sustained community impact connected to SL/CE courses
  • Proactive, professional, and meaningful engagement with specific community partner(s)
  • Demonstrated excellence in NACE competencies AND in leading others into action both on and or off campus
  • Instructor recommendation from the instructor of at least one SL/CE course 
  • Institutional GPA OR GPA in the preceding 6 months (applicant’s choice)
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees

Graduate Student Excellence in Community Engaged Education Leadership Award – $100

Award Details (Click to Expand)

Award Amount

  • $100

Eligibility

  • Graduate standing
  • Enrolled student, in good standing, at USC Upstate
  • Completed at least two graduate course (6 hours) at USC Upstate
  • Earned, or currently earning, an “B” or better in at least one designated SL, SE, or CE course at USC Upstate 
  • Self‐nominations are accepted, pending support from at least one of your SL/CE instructors

Nomination Procedure

  • Email a nomination statement with the student’s name & email address, the award you are nominating them for, and why they should selected 
  • Nominees will be invited to:
    • solicit an instructor’s endorsement
    • list SL, SE, & CE courses they have taken
    • add their own reflective statement (~200 words)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome; simply include the items listed above 

Decision Criteria

  • Number and substance of SL/CE courses taken (SL holds the most weight; CE the least) 
  • Positive and sustained community impact connected to SL/CE courses
  • Proactive, professional, and meaningful engagement with specific community partner(s)
  • Demonstrated excellence in NACE competencies AND in leading others into action both on and or off campus
  • Instructor recommendation from the instructor of at least one SL/CE course 
  • Institutional GPA OR GPA in the preceding 6 months (applicant’s choice)
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees

Student Excellence in Community Engaged Research or Creative Project Award – $200

Award Details (Click to Expand)

Award Amount

  • $200

Eligibility

  • At least one published paper or exhibited creative work relating to community engaged professional activity.  done at USC Upstate (including Upstate Symposium Proceedings, Upstate Research Journal, and Persimmon Creek) or in another academic venue. Preference given for peer-reviewed or juried venues. Applicants are welcome to describe peer-review equivalencies for alternate venues.

Nomination Procedure

  • Email a nomination statement with the student’s name & email address, the award you are nominating them for, and why they should selected 
  • Nominees will be invited to:
    • solicit an instructor’s endorsement
    • list SL, SE, & CE courses they have taken
    • add their own reflective statement (~200 words)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome; simply include the items listed above

Decision Criteria

  • Positive and sustained community impact in line with SL/CE best practices
  • Proactive, professional, and meaningful engagement with specific community partner(s)
  • Institutional GPA OR GPA in the preceding 6 months (applicant’s choice)
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees

This information can also be viewed on the Student Intranet page here.

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