Unique opportunity to work on impactul issues in Southwestern Pennsylvnia
The Ambassadors for Civic Engagement (ACE) Fellowship provides an opportunity for graduate students to apply their education and skills to contribute to and improve the quality of life of people living in the Pittsburgh region through a long-term experiential fellowship with a community partner that works in public policy, governance, community organizing and activism, or philanthropy.
Multiple diverse and highly competitive graduate-level ACE Fellows from a wide-range of backgrounds will work as a team with a community partner to address a specific organizational, policy, or community issue while increasing their social responsibility, heightening their understanding of human diversity, and learning from their peers.
2022-2023 ACE Fellows
Click here to meet this year's cohort.
When is this fellowship offered?
Benefits
- Earn $15 per hour for 15 hours per week (8-month program commitment)
- Work with and learn from an interdisciplinary team of peers
- Connect with and be mentored by community leaders
- Gain Skills and experience in policy issues affecting students experiencing homelessness and communications and outreach
Program Commitments
- 8-month program
- 15 hours per week doing project work
- Team meetings with Elsie Forum staff to discuss the project and experiences
- Weekly meetings with mentor from partnering organization
- Co-create deliverables with the community partner
Eligibility
Any full-time, graduate student pursuing any degree, and can commit to the timeframe of November through May 2023
Qualifications for the 2023-24 Project
The successful candidate should possess the following:
- Some research experience: familiarity with mixed research methods preferred
- Interest in community engagement
- Effective communication skills, both written and oral
- Event coordination and marketing
- Must adhere to policies within the IOP and the University of Pittsburgh
Apply
Please check back in Spring of 2023 for application details related to the next cohort.
Application Requirements
- Students apply online via Talent Center, and participation is awarded on a competitive basis
- Students must upload a current resume
- In the "writing sample" slot of the talent center application, please upload a 2-page maximum, double-spaced essay that addresses the following:
- Explain how you believe you can contribute to the National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support and their project.
- Identify your skills and experience as related to the defined qualifications for this project
- Why are you passionate about this project?
- What do you hope to gain by participating in this fellowship?
- What are your post-graduation plans?
- In the "other" slot of the talent center application, please upload your unofficial transcript.
Selection Process
This program follows a two-staged review process. First, a committee will review each applicant's written materials and will recommend applicants for an interview. Second, those recommended for an interview are contacted to schedule face-to-face interviews with the committee. After the interviews, the committee deliberates and selects the finalists. The program has two available positions this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I be doing if I am selected as an Elsie ACE?
Graduate students will work as a team with a community partner to address a specific organizational, policy, or community issue. The Elsie Forum will work closely with the selected community agency to outline the mentoring responsibilities of the host organization, define student responsibilities and time commitment for the project, and identify the training goals. The activities while on site will depend heavily on the selected community partner.