Civic Innovation
The Civic Leader Scholars Program at Emory & Henry College is a renewable, four-year scholarship for incoming, first-year and transfer undergraduate students who have a strong interest in civic engagement.
Each year, students selected in the interview process are awarded renewable scholarship and a place as a Civic Leader Scholar. In order to maintain the scholarship, scholars must remain a full-time student, maintain a 3.0 grade point average, attend the annual Civic Leadership Retreat, and participate in on-going reflection and training.
Interested in Emory & Henry’s Civic Leader Scholars?
Civic Leader Scholars Application
During Year One
- Participate in the Civic Landscape Project
- Write a civic identity statement – exploring central questions of your values and what social justice issues the scholar wishes to pursue
During Year Two
- Identify a non-profit organization and/or civic project and serve at least 5 hours per week at the agency
- Write a civic goals statement – exploring broader academic and professional aspirations and how the program can help accomplish them.
During Year Three
- Work with non-profit organization to develop a project that will require the scholar to conduct research, develop materials/resources, and train volunteers
- Write a civic leadership statement – exploring central ideas of leadership and professional aspirations
During Year Four
- Develop a major senior project that will require rigorous research, leadership, and program development on behalf of the senior
- Write a senior thesis – involving community-based, action-oriented research that addresses the scholar’s social justice/professional goals or questions
The Civic Landscape Project
Designed for first-year Civic Leader Scholars the Civic Landscape Project is designed to introduce you to the rich and varied ways in which people and communities of Southwest Virginia address social problems or questions in this region.
Every other week, scholars will visit and conduct a service project at a different non-profit organization in the region, giving scholars the chance to meet with non-profit leaders, learn about careers in the field, and discover ways they can stay involved.