Fellows Program Details and Application

Fellowship Objectives

By the end of the fellowship, faculty, staff, and community fellows will be able to:


  • Identify and explain the key components of community-based service-learning, including its educational, civic, institutional, and community benefits.
  • Describe the purpose, value, and structure of UMB community engagement activities in West Baltimore.
  • Build an inventory of key resources that support community engagement activities and community-based service-learning education.
  • Facilitate community engaged scholarship or research, using the principles of community based participatory research and community academic partnerships.
  • Model best practices for collaboration between academic institutions and community based organizations/partners.
  • Transform community-based service-learning using best practices and evidence based pedagogies.
  • Incorporate social justice, health equity, or social determinants of health frameworks into community engagement education, scholarship, research, programs or practice.
  • Thoughtfully discuss aspects of structural inequalities, such as structural racism and its impact on society and Baltimore.
  • Develop a mentoring relationship with experienced community engaged faculty, staff, or community leaders, who serve as a resource for this growing collaborative.
  • Identify co-learning opportunities, whereby community leaders participate as collaborators and educators in delivery of UMB courses and educational programs.
  • Ultimately, address and improve the social determinants of health for Baltimore communities.

Timeline

  • Nov 2023 – Jan 2024: Accepting applications to the Fellows Program in Community Engagement
  • Feb 2024: Fellows selected
  • Mar 2024 – Feb 2025: Fellows Program in Community Engagement 2024/2025 Cohort
  • Mar 2025: Presentation on Fellows Program Accomplishments

Details

  • Faculty, staff, and community fellows will participate as a cohort, attending workshops and training seminars together throughout the one year fellows program. Fellows will also pair with other fellows to mutually collaborate and support goals and interests.
  • Each category of fellow will have unique expectations for their accomplishments (detailed below).
  • Fellows may be eligible to request funds (up to $1,500) to support their Fellowship activities . If available and approved, funds may be used for professional development or other university-allowable expenses related to the incorporation of community based service-learning into courses or community engagement work (including supplies, teaching materials, educational resources, etc.).

Expectations

All Fellows will:

  • Participate in an Opening Workshop held on February 28, 2024 and February 29, 2024, as well as additional workshop(s) throughout the year.
  • Participate in monthly training seminars to share best practices, scholarship, planning processes, and strengthen collaborations in the cohort.
  • Develop a logic model and program plan for implementation and write regular reports and updates on Fellowship activities and progress.
  • Work with a program mentor throughout the fellowship period.
  • Provide a scholarly presentation of Fellowship accomplishments at the end of the Fellowship.

Please see current Fellows' project examples here.

Faculty Fellows will:

  • Integrate, develop, or advance service-learning strategies into one course, clinical, practicum, or educational program, by the end of the fellowship, working in collaboration with a community partner.
  • Write a plan for community engaged scholarship or practice.
  • Serve as an institutional resource for faculty interested in community engagement or community based service-learning.

Staff Fellows will:

  • Develop a plan for incorporating community engagement best practices into a community service project or program.
  • Serve as an institutional resource for staff interested in community engagement.
  • Facilitate or establish a partnership with a community based organization or community partners.

Community Fellows will:

  • Develop a program focused on the principles of community engagement in partnership with UMB faculty or staff.
  • Incorporate strategies of service-learning when co-teaching with UMB faculty.
  • Serve as a resource for community leaders who are interested in community academic partnerships.

Application Process

  • Faculty Fellows: Full-time faculty members from all UMB schools interested in incorporating community based service-learning principles into a course or educational program or advancing community engaged research or scholarship, are encouraged to apply.
    • As part of the application, faculty will be asked to submit a CV and a letter of support/commitment from their Department Chair.
  • Staff Fellows: Full-time UMB staff members interested in incorporating community engagement best practices into their work are encouraged to apply.
    • As part of the application, staff members will be asked to submit a resume and a letter of support/commitment from their supervisor.
  • Community Fellows: Leaders (or designee) in a community agency in Baltimore who are interested in advancing community engagement partnerships, educating and collaborating with UMB faculty, staff, and students in their community based organizations, are encouraged to apply.
    • As part of the application, community leaders will be asked to submit a resume and a letter of support/commitment from their agency.