The Community Engagement Associates (CEA) is an employment program in which IUPUI undergraduate and graduate students are hired to support faculty- and staff-mentored community engaged initiatives, in and outside of the classroom.
About our program
Program components
Faculty or staff applying for funding
IUPUI faculty and staff apply annually to receive financial support for their community-engaged course or project. For information about how to apply for CEA funding, please visit the Community Engagement Associates Program Faculty and Staff Funding page.
Students applying for the CEA positions
The Center for Service and Learning oversees the hiring process for each CEA. Students interested in the CEA program can search for available CEA positions through Handshake by typing in “CEA” in the search bar. Generally, CEA positions are posted during the following times:
- August and September for fall semester or academic years positions
- January and February for spring semester positions
- March and April for summer positions
Program expectations
The CEA program has expectations for both the faculty/staff supervisor and for the student. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to grow and to develop through this program, supervisors and students will engage in a mentoring relationship guided by resources and modules within Canvas.
CEA student expectations
- View and complete the online orientation module in Canvas.
- Complete one professional development module in Canvas per academic year.
- Complete the end-of-award evaluation form and respond to end-of-award reflection prompts.
- Meet with your mentor based on an agreed upon schedule.
- Create an e-portfolio, including a showcase for the online Engaged Learning Showcase.
Please note that all requirements are considered on the clock time that you may be paid.
Program benefits
The CEA Program’s purpose is to enrich students’ learning outside of the classroom. Here are some program outcomes CEAs have reported in their end-of-award surveys:
- Gain perspective of career goals
- Work directly with organizations and professionals
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses in the professional workplace
- Apply classroom materials to real-world problems
- Increase confidence as a young professional
Students are compensated for their work by an hourly wage. Undergraduate students are paid $11 per hour, and graduate students are paid $13 per hour.