Friday, October 23, 2009
Academic research to “Engage U”
Engage U is a program in the academic research office that exists to recognize and honor those students who serve our community and campus while expanding their learning beyond their major.
There are six categories for participation: learning within the major, learning beyond the major, service within the university, service beyond the university, citizenship within the region and citizenship beyond the region.
Some ways to be recognized are completing an internship, participating in a service-learning project, completing a double major or adding a minor, being a student leader and being involved in a nonprofit organization in the community or region.
“I think it is a good program because people want to get set up above other people when they are looking for a job,” MSUM senior Alyssa Battles said. “This is a program that sets you above if you have a good GPA or not.”
Seniors can look back and see if they have fulfilled any of these categories. If they have, they can get a signature from their advisor and count that activity.
Students in the Colleges of Arts & Humanities, Education and Human Services and Social and Natural Sciences can participate. The College of Business & Industry is not currently participating in Engage U, but if students in the college have another major or a minor in a different college, they can participate under the guidelines for that second major or minor.
“Anyone on campus could get recognized, if they want to, they just have to start the process,” Battles said.
According to a press release put out by Engage U, the process starts by writing up of a proposal with your advisor, completing the extra curricular activity and getting a signature stating you were there. A reflection paper is required, and after it is looked over you will be recognized at Commencement ceremonies as a Graduate with Distinction in Engagement, and carry this title with you permanently after your MSUM journey.
Engage U is a wonderful opportunity to help out the community and grow in ways you thought you couldn’t.
For more information contact Janet Haak in the ARO or at .
All details about forms and process are available on the Distinction in Engagement web site. http://www.mnstate.edu/acadaff/engagement/, or talk to your advisor.