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New Transcript Designation To Help Students Highlight Community Engagement Work

A new designation at UNO will provide students the opportunity to highlight existing community engagement efforts and identify new ones to be officially recognized for academically.

  • published: 2019/07/02
Eureka STEM campers work at a table in Omaha, Nebraska

Volunteering to help with camps, like the Eureka! STEM Camp here, as well as internships or other service learning, can now be denoted on students' official transcripts.

A new designation at UNO will provide students the opportunity to highlight existing community engagement efforts and identify new ones to be officially recognized for academically.

The Community Engaged Scholars (CES) transcript designation is an opportunity for UNO students to demonstrate to external stakeholders, including future employers, how they have participated in community engagement during their time at UNO.

Beginning this fall, all students will be able to denote on their official transcripts the community engagement efforts they are taking part in. Although many students are currently completing a variety of community engagement projects with partners around the city, state and region, they have not been able to officially be recognized for those on their transcripts.

The designation has four components. To receive the designation students must complete:

  • Six hours of designated service learning coursework
  • One community-based learning experience
  • 35 volunteer/community service hours
  • Reflection pieces for each of the above categories and a final overall reflection piece

For any graded course to count towards the designation, students must satisfactorily pass the course with a minimum of a C and graduate with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

The Community Engaged Scholars transcript designation is a unique and exciting new opportunity for UNO students who showcase their community engagement work to the community and potential employers.

 Dr. Barb Pickering

The designation is awarded when all other graduation requirements are met. In sum, the designation is emblematic of a student’s commitment to and completion of engaged scholarship requirements. The EST designation is designed to be the equivalent of 12 course credit hours. Activities may only be counted in one of the four components.

“The Community Engaged Scholars transcript designation is a unique and exciting new opportunity for UNO students who showcase their community engagement work to the community and potential employers,” Barbara Pickering, Ph.D., coordinator for the initiative, said. “In addition to items that students list on their resume, the Community Engaged Scholars designation will illustrate the culmination of all their community engagement efforts while attending UNO.”Examples of Community Based Learning experiences include (but are not limited to): course projects based in community activities or a community organization (even if the overall course is not designated as Service Learning), internships or practicum that contribute to the community’s well-being, research papers examining a community problem or potential solutions to a community opportunity, military service (active duty, reserves, National Guard) and study abroad.

Once a student has enrolled in a service learning course or a community-based learning project, or participated in a UNO-organized volunteer opportunity, students will be invited to the Canvas CES course.

For more information about the project contact Barbara Pickering at bpickering@unomaha.edu or visit the Community Engaged Scholars website.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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