M3C Citizen-Scholar Fellows Program

New Host Site Application DEADLINE: Accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled or until August. First come, first serve.

Download the New Host Site Application HERE.

The M3C Fellows Program is a 10-state effort, in which Wisconsin Campus Compact administrates. The M3C Fellows Program is conceptualized as a scholarship program to support cohorts of predominantly low-income and/or first generation college students who have demonstrated academic abilities while maintaining involvement and passion for community building through service and civic engagement activities. The M3C Fellows Program targets primarily first-year students (including full and part-time students, new enrollees, or students transferring from two-year institutions to four-year undergraduate baccalaureate programs).

Each M3C Fellow is assigned to a Peer Mentor. Peer Mentors will be successful upper level students who can act as role models and guides for the Fellows to which they are assigned. Peer Mentors do not have to qualify as low-income or first-generation college students.

M3C Fellows will serve as AmeriCorps members and will be required to complete their term of service (300 hours) within one calendar year. Upon the completion and certification of 300 hours of community service, each M3C Fellow will receive a $1,000 education award from the Corporation of National and Community Service Trust Fund. The education award goes directly to the Fellow in the form of a voucher that can be applied toward existing federal student loans or future tuition.

The M3C Fellows Program is based on research that demonstrates that two keys to successful matriculation through college are a) the development of a peer network and b) that students must feel and be actively involved in campus activities and/or in the local community (Astin, 1993; Astin, 1996, and Astin & Sax, 1998).

Goals of the Program:

1. Improve the retention rates and academic success of low-income and/or first-generation college students, who are new enrollees or students transferring from two-year institutions to four-year undergraduate baccalaureate programs.

2. Develop a peer network and provide support that enables students to serve as agents of civic engagement to respond effectively to local community issues.

3. Provide support that builds the capacity of postsecondary institutions to serve as agents of civic engagement and respond more effectively to local community issues.

4. Foster a deep appreciation and understanding of democratic values and citizenship among participants, and nurture the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that lead to a lifelong commitment to active community and civic participation.

Basic Host Site Requirements:
1. Each campus must agree to support a minimum cohort of 8 student fellows. This will consist of 6 Fellows and 2 Mentors (1 mentor for every 3 fellows).

2. Each campus must identify a local M3C fellowship coordinator (i.e. faculty member, community service director, service-learning coordinator, campus minister, scholarship program coordinator, community-based organization representative, etc.).

3. Each campus must identify a new or existing program into which the M3C Fellows Program could naturally be integrated (TRIO programs, Federal Work Study programs, community service programs, academic service-learning programs, first-year experience programs, etc.), including an individual to provide the fellows with regular oversight and guidance. In many cases, the person managing an existing program may also serve as the local M3C fellowship coordinator. Recipients of M3C Fellows Program grants will be encouraged to work closely with admissions offices, financial aid offices and other programs that serve the same or similar student groups.

4. Priority will be given to campuses that can provide stipends or additional financial support to a cohort of M3C Fellows (through institutional scholarships/stipends, Federal Work Study, or other resources).

If you would like more information about the M3C Program, please visit the M3C Fellows web site at http://www.m3cfellows.org or contact Brandon Donelson-Sims at Ohio Campus Compact at 740-587-8568 or occleader@alink.com.

Click here to see GPA and Retention Data from M3C Fellows during 2006-2007 Academic Year

M3C Program, Best Practices

Click on the links below to download resources!

• Wilmington College: Sample Recruitment Letter to Students
• Mercy College: Volunteer Recruitment Form
• University of Toledo: Recruitment Flyer
• Mount Union: Fellow Recruitment Post card
• Wilmington College: Fellow Application
• University of Toledo: Fellow Application, Front Page
• University of Toledo: Fellow Application, Back Page
• Mount Union College: Blanket MOA
• Wilmington College: Curriculum Timeline
• Wilmington College: Reflection and Discussion Plan
• University of Toledo: Fellow Orientation Schedule