Civic Engagement

The variety and depth of opportunities for civic engagement are unique at the University of Pennsylvania. Ranging from tutoring and mentoring activities with local youth to work with global organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Amnesty International, Penn students can become deeply acquainted with social issues through direct action. Recognizing the educational and scholarly value of such involvement, it is a key feature of the Penn Civic Scholars Program and experience. To achieve certification, students in the program will be expected to participate in community service or social advocacy work for a minimum of five semesters and assume a leadership role (broadly defined) for at least one of those semesters.

There are numerous opportunities for civic engagement through Penn-based organizations.  Many students become involved through one of three centers for student engagement: Civic House, the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, and the Fox Leadership Program. There are also a variety of other places on- and off-campus through which students identify fulfilling service opportunities.

Internships

Summer internships in the public interest support several goals of the Civic Scholars Program. Interns acquire first-hand, concentrated experience with established efforts to address social problems. Students can apply and test the knowledge gained in courses and civic service and research during the school year in more formal settings. And summer internships can be a means for students to galvanize ideas about their future careers.

The Penn Civic Scholars Program requires a summer internship in the public interest, ideally following the sophomore or junior years of study and connected to the subject matter of the capstone research project. Such internships are often uncompensated, but the program can provide stipends to meet living expenses. The staff of the program assist in internship placements locally, nationally or internationally, although students will be expected to use their own initiative in finding opportunities. Listings of such opportunities are available on the following University websites: Penn’s Office of Career Services, Civic House, and the Fels Institute of Government.