Enroll in CESP

Become a Scholar!

Join a community of peers committed to community engagement. Reflect on your experiences. Earn recognition.

Scholars are undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota. We accept students from all colleges and majors. You can join at any point in your undergrad career. You do not already need to be involved with a community organization to join the program.

Steps to Enroll

Getting started with CESP is a simple two-step process designed to help you learn about the program and prepare for meaningful community engagement. First, you’ll complete a short, self-paced CESP Information Session via Canvas to learn more about the program and determine whether it fits your academic goals. Next, you’ll register for the CESP: Community-Engagement Foundations Series, a required three-session experience where you’ll connect with other new Scholars, learn core principles of ethical community engagement, and strengthen your reflective practice.

Each step must be completed consecutively, as the information session is a prerequisite for registering for the Foundations Series. Completing both steps prepares you to officially join CESP and begin your Scholar journey. New Scholars are accepted on a rolling basis, and students are never denied from the Community Engagement Scholars Program. If you have questions at any point in the process, please reach out to [email protected].

Step 1

Complete the CESP Information Session

The first step in your CESP journey is to complete the CESP Information Session. This short, self-paced Canvas module introduces the program, explains what participation involves, and helps you determine whether CESP is a good fit for your academic and community engagement goals.

The information session takes approximately 30 minutes or less to complete and is required before registering for the CESP: Community-Engagement Foundations Series.

Please note: The information session video references the former Workshop for New Scholars. The CESP program structure has since been updated. References to “workshops” in the video now refer to the CESP: Community-Engagement Foundations Series, the required three-session series for students enrolling in the full Community Engagement Scholars Program.

Enroll in the CESP Information Session via Training Hub

Step 2

Community-Engagement Foundations

The CESP Foundations Series is a required three‑session learning experience that welcomes new Scholars into the values, practices, and community at the heart of the Community Engagement Scholars Program. Across these sessions, students build connections with other scholars, learn the core principles of ethical community engagement, and deepen their reflective practice as they prepare for meaningful service with community partners.

Students will engage with the Social Change Wheel, examine how identities and power shape community work, and learn best practices for building respectful, reciprocal partnerships. The series also supports students in connecting their commitments to career pathways and lifelong civic engagement.

Designed to be interactive, reflective, and relationship‑centered, each session builds on the last. As such, attendance at all three sessions is required for new Scholars.

We understand that the scheduled dates may not work for everyone. As a University‑sponsored program, we can provide excuse letters for classes, practices, or other commitments. Please email [email protected] if you need one. If you are unable to participate due to unavoidable conflicts, please email [email protected] so we can discuss options.

Please click here to register.

Fall 2026 Dates

CESP: Community-Engagement Foundations (Option 1)

Session 1: Tuesday, September 29 from 5:00 – 7:00pm
Session 2: Tuesday, October 13 from 5:00 – 7:00pm
Session 3: Tuesday, October 27 from 5:00 – 7:00pm

OR

CESP: Community-Engagement Foundations (Option 2)

Session 1: Wednesday, November 4 from 4:00 – 6:00pm
Session 2: Wednesday, November 18 from 4:00 – 6:00pm
Session 3: Wednesday, December 2 from 4:00 – 6:00pm

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