The Lindy Center is committed to supporting students, faculty and community partners in local and global civic engagement. The Lindy Center Community-Based Learning Course and Project Assistant program places student leaders in community-based learning courses to offer faculty critical support in course development, classroom management and reflection support necessary to offer such courses. CBL course and project assistant positions offer students a unique opportunity to work with Lindy Center staff and fellow assistants to deepen and enhance their commitment to CBL while growing as civically minded leaders.

Role Description

CBL assistants will work an average of 20 hours each term and are given a $250 stipend for their time. Prior to the start of the course, CBL assistants will attend a required training and review an agreement of expectations. They will meet each term with a cohort of CBL assistants to reflect, share resources and best practices, and build a community of support with one another.

CBL assistants may be expected to fill a variety of roles depending on the needs of the faculty member, students and the CBL course, including: 

• Facilitating logistics with community partners and faculty. 
• Monitoring student engagement or service participation. 
• Assisting with course development or activities. 
• Leading class discussions and reflection. 
• Mentoring students in community and civic engagement. 
• Supporting departmental or faculty projects that are not courses.
• Attending two cohort meetings per term.

Working with a CBL Course or Project Assistant

A CBL Assistant can help instructors manage courses, community partnerships, and projects in many ways. The Lindy Center asks faculty members working with an assistant to clearly discuss and document expectations together prior to the course. All instructors should consider the following guidelines for cultivating a constructive relationship with your teaching assistant(s): 

• Establish clear job responsibilities for the assistant before the beginning of the term. This includes expectations for class attendance, community partner visits, monitoring student participation, logistics and facilitating reflection activities. 
• Connect weekly with the assistant via meetings, email or other means. 
• Introduce the assistant to the class and explain the assistant's role at the first class meeting. Create space for students to ask questions.
• Provide mentorship and other learning opportunities for the assistant. 
• Empower the position of assistant to take initiative with guidance and support. 

The Lindy Center will ask faculty to complete a brief evaluation (link to come) of the CBL assistants upon complete of the course or project. This evaluation serves as a formative assessment of both the program and the assistant to aid in their learning and professional development.  

Requesting a CBL Course or Project Assistant 

Once your course section has been approved as a CBL instructional format or you are ready to start working on your project, reach out to the Lindy Center (contact info below)  to apply for an assistant. If you have an outstanding student in mind, please nominate them for a CBL assistant position.  

Nominate a CBL Course or Project Assistant

One of our many roles in the Lindy Center is to support students on their civic pathway. CBL assistants are students who have demonstrated a commitment to community-engaged learning, leadership skills in the classroom, the maturity to engage with community and the ability to serve as a mentor to their undergraduate peers.   

We are not currently accepting nominations but please reach out to Cara Scharf, Associate Director of Civic Learning, if you'd like to inquire about the status of this program.