(Deadline has been extended.)

Dear Community Partner,

This letter is an invitation to submit a project proposal for the

2011-2012 Tisch Scholars for Citizenship and Public Service

(Tisch Scholars) Program. Submitting a proposal will allow your project to be considered for the assignment of a Tisch Scholar to work with your organization for 6-8 hours per week during the academic year.  The Tisch Scholars Program is a highly selective leadership development program in active citizenship for undergraduate students at Tufts University. Tisch Scholars work in the community on projects at nonprofits, schools and government agencies.  We are looking forward to another year with engaged Scholars, outstanding community partners and strong projects. As you develop your agency’s Tisch Scholars project proposal, consider ways that Tisch Scholars can partner with you on particular initiatives within your organization and/or broader community.

An ideal Tisch Scholar project addresses a community identified need, has clearly identified goals and desired outcomes, and is a learning and leadership opportunity for the student.  We will review all project proposals received by the deadline of June 27. Projects that match the Tisch Scholars program criteria (see attached program description and detailed criteria) will be placed on a “projects menu” that will be sent to first year Scholars.  The Scholars will rank their project options, and based on what we know about each partner and student, Tisch staff will facilitate a match in late summer. Once projects are matched with Scholars, you will be informed regarding if your project was selected. If it was, you will be given the student contact information and more detailed program information, and the student will be given the project supervisor’s contact information and instructions to be in touch at the start of the fall semester. If your project was not selected by a Tisch Scholar, Tisch staff will work with you to facilitate an alternative means for Tufts student involvement.

All first year Tisch Scholars are sophomores who were selected for the program in the fall of the freshman year from a large pool of applicants.  Criteria included previous civic engagement in high school; leadership skills and potential; and dedication to social change.  In the spring, each student completed the program’s foundation course, “Education for Active Citizenship”.  I, along with other Tisch College staff will work with you to insure the success of the project for both you and the Scholar.

I have included a template for you to submit your Tisch Scholars project proposal for inclusion on the project menu. I have also attached a listing of the first year Scholars who will be selecting projects from the menu and their interests. This list may serve as an inspiration for you as you develop a potential project, or you may choose not to utilize it at all.

Timeline for 2011-2012 Tisch Scholars Request for Project Proposals:

June 27 Project Proposals due to tischcollegesubmissions@tufts.edu

July 15 – Aug. 12 Scholars review project menu and rank preferences

Aug. 24 Scholars and Community partners matched

If you have any questions about this project proposal process, feel free to contact me at sara.allred@tufts.edu or 617-627-5666. Thank you for your partnership in this process.

Sincerely,
Sara Allred
Scholars Program Coordinator
Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service
Tufts University