Community Engaged Scholars Transcript Designation (CESTD) documents and recognizes undergraduate students for their community engagement experiences.
This designation offers an incentive and a competitive edge for students who choose to tailor their involvement and academic work in a way that capitalizes on UNO’s comparative advantage.
Students can request to be enrolled through the CESTD Canvas page.
Student Benefits and Requirements
What are the benefits for students?
- Connect with local leaders and change-makers
- Make a positive impact on your community
- Develop your resume through these experiences
- Strengthen your competitive advantage with employers
- Strengthen your communication, leadership, and teamwork skills
- Find new strengths and interests
View a list of previously recognized students.
What are the requirements?
- Completion of 1 community based-learning experience (3 credit hours)
- Completion of 6 hours of service-learning coursework
- Completion of 135 volunteer/community service hours (outside of the classroom)
- Completion of a written reflection piece (one for each category along with a final reflection).
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA at graduation
What are some examples of community engagement?
- Volunteering for a local nonprofit
- Class projects that benefit the community
- Internships or practicums that benefit the community
- Research papers examining a community problem or potential solutions to a community opportunity
- Signing up to take a service learning or community-based learning class
Operational Guide
The CESTD Operational Guide is a document that provides UNO students, advisors, faculty, and administrators with information regarding the design, structure, procedures, policies, requirements, and timelines related to this designation. The guide provides a set of foundational operating guidelines to improve the understanding of the CESTD and assist in planning appropriate coursework and service activity.