51³Ô¹Ï

The DC Community Impact Scholars program is a selective, living-learning community experience that emphasizes responsible and meaningful community-engaged learning. Through this two-year program, students become deeply connected to the DC that exists beyond the monuments and museums, learning to work closely with community members and nonprofits to turn your scholarly work into community action.

In the first-year, students enroll in a Scholars-only section of Complex Problems, taught by some of 51³Ô¹Ï's best faculty.  Additionally, students will take a yearlong lab course that introduces them to the history and contemporary context of DC, principles of ethical and responsible community engagement, and the fundamentals of social science research.

In their sophomore year, students will deepen their learning through a yearlong community-based research course centered on a faculty-led research project that will be co-designed with a community partner. Impact Scholars are trained in research methods, research ethics, and issues relevant to the participating nonprofit's area of focus.

Students are offered admission to the program by invitation only at the time of their admission to the university. The program is open to incoming freshmen with demonstrated interest in community service, social justice, and research.

• Live, learn and serve together, establishing a strong community during your first years at 51³Ô¹Ï.
• Take a Complex Problems course and lab with passionate professors who connect course learning objectives with community needs and community-based learning.
• Participate in a research methods course, with projects designed in collaboration with a local nonprofit.
• Engage in ongoing personal and professional development designed to train you to be change agents in your communities.
• Develop and maintain ongoing community relationships through service and research-oriented projects.
• Connect with faculty mentors invested in students' scholarly futures.
• Build a relationship with peer mentors who have previously participated in the program.