The Center for Regional Change's (CRC) Student Engaged Scholars Program provides meaningful experiences open to all UCD undergraduate and graduate students. The program is housed in the Center for Regional Change (CRC), a solutions-based translational research center with a mission to inform the building of healthy, prosperous, sustainable, and equitable regions in California and beyond. Participants have the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty, researchers, and community partners on social justice and environmental issues that they are passionate about. Student engaged scholars go on to make presentations about their work in academic, policy, and community settings.
Scholars also receive special access to community-based research training, leadership development, and mentorship opportunities. Student applicants for this competitive program are chosen based on the relevance of their skills and professional interests to CRC projects, demonstration of passion for regional change through essays and an interview. The center connects faculty and students with diverse leaders from government, business, non-profit, and philanthropic sectors, using research and data to address real-world problems. Each student will work on an applied research project associated with the activities of the CRC. They will prepare a presentation about their work in academic, policy, and community settings.
The Student Engaged Scholars Program was the brainchild of Jessica M. Jones. Jessica first approached the CRC with a proposal to increase student engagement, and soon took on the title of Student Engagement Coordinator for the center. Jessica graduated from UC Davis in Winter Quarter 2016 with a B.S. in Community and Regional Development with an emphasis in Environmental Policy.