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What is the Public Good Associates Program?
Public Good Associates (PGAs) will work with the Center for Community Engagement & Service Learning's (CCESL) Associate Director. PGAs will be placed with one DU faculty member to assist in her/his community-engaged scholarship (research). The Public Good Associates program is designed to get students and faculty into working relationships to effectively support community-engaged scholarship (research). DU students who demonstrate a deep commitment to community-engaged work and have an interest in research are eligible to apply.  The program provides opportunities for students to gain valuable research experience and contribute to the University's mission to be a "great private institution dedicated to the public good.

What Do Public Good Associates Do?
PGAs assist faculty in the planning, implementation and assessment of public good research projects.  PGAs may participate in activities such as:

  • Researching social justice issues
  • Developing partnerships with a community organization
  • Planning and implementing research activities
  • Working with the faculty member to assess and evaluate the community partnership & impacts of the research project
  • Problem-solving with community partners and faculty member
  • Maintaining community linkages through correspondence and media

Students receive training through CCESL over the course of the year to support their work with faculty.  

PGA's should plan to attend:

  1. Public Good Associates Orientation Thursday, September 6th, 6-8pm
  2. Community Organizing Training, Friday, October 5th

Student applications for 2012-2013 are now being accepted. See detailed information below.

Public Good  Associate Job Description

Public Good Associate Application

Faculty who have received funding from the University of Denver's Public Good Fund or are committed to community-engaged scholarship are eligible to request a Public Good Associate (PGA). Students who have a demonstrated commitment to community engaged work and experience or a strong interest in research receive training to become PGAs. PGAs then work with faculty to support the implementation of the faculty member's community-engaged research.

For more information, please contact Cara DiEnno (cara.dienno@du.edu; #303-871-2158).

 
Anita Spotlight

Anita Spotlight

Reflects on Public Achivement (PA) on Blog

The goal [of PA] is to create a space for students to discover their power to create tangible change in their community. That includes open discussions about social justice issues like privilege and oppression, as well as certain key activities like one-to-ones, "world as it is/world as it should be", "world cafes" and others from the PA handbook

Manuel Del Real

Manuel Del Real

DU Student, Class of 2009 and 2011

Every time I look at the murals, it gives me great pride as an alumnus to be able to see students make a change...Being a coach has also helped me realize I am the mentor that I used to look up to.

Hava Gordon

Hava Gordon

Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology

Last year, I taught a Service Learning FSEM: Youth Cultures: Inequality, Resistance, and Empowerment. This was the first time teaching my FSEM as a service learning class, and it was an amazing experience. With the help of my wonderful Service Learning Associate, Cameron Lewis, our class partnered with The Spot youth center and Rainbow Alley. Both organizations work to empower teens by providing a safe and creative space for low-income, homeless, and LGBTQ youth. FSEM students joined outreach workers at The Spot on night walks around the city, distributing needed items to homeless youth. Students also participated in consciousness-raising workshops at Rainbow Alley, connecting with Rainbow Alley youth through these workshops.