Joseph McKeen
Center for the Common Good

The Community Matters in Maine Summer Fellowships provide students the opportunity to work and serve in the local community by way of a placement in a specific organization to address community issues while strengthening campus-community partnerships. Meant to capitalize on students' interests, the fellowship allows students to explore work in the public sector while developing an understanding of issues at the local level — what they are, and how to solve problems related to these issues by working with a broad spectrum of community leaders. 

This 10-week fellowship includes a $4000 stipend, and fellows are eligible for on-campus housing. In addition to their placements, students convene regularly with other fellows for reflection and problem solving. Most fellowship placements go from early June to mid-August.

• Community Action Fellows work with organizations addressing issues of social/civic concern.  Placements are designed for students interested in public service with experience in community service and/or service learning courses.  Read about past fellows and their placements.

• Psi Upsilon/Logan Environmental Fellows work with organizations addressing issues related to the environment at the local level and are primarily for students majoring in Environmental Studies. Read about past Psi U Fellows and their placements.

Expectations

As part of the program, fellows are required to:

• Participate in an orientation to the program during the first week of June;
• Convene regularly with other fellows and staff for discussion, reflection and problem solving and to identify common themes among participating agencies that might be addressed in the future;
• Present a summary of the experience to participating agencies, students, faculty and staff at the end of the summer;
• Participate in an evaluation of the program at the end of the summer to help craft future program components.

Requirements

Interest in public issues, academic record, and financial need are all important criteria for fellowship applicants, although students not receiving aid are eligible if a paying summer job is a necessity. Preference is given to rising juniors and seniors.

Application

Applications are available in the McKeen Center, the Environmental Studies Program or on these programs' websites, and are due mid February. Interviews with agencies will be scheduled for March and all accepted fellows will be notified before Spring Break.

Past Participating Organizations:

To learn more about Psi Upsilon Fellowships, visit the Environmental Studies website.