You may find yourself working on a paper, thesis, dissertation, or community-based project mostly on your own. Not because you chose to, but because the programs and environments you are part of don’t always provide consistent support for developing work over time, particularly once structured coursework ends and the work becomes more self-directed.

So, then, this pattern happens:

You start something.
You make some progress.
Then you step away and come back to it later.

Over time, it becomes harder to stay engaged with it.

You are not working on your own in the Community-Engaged Scholars Program. You are part of a cohort, working alongside others who are developing their own projects. At the same time, the online program also focuses on how you approach your work by helping you think more clearly about what it means to do community-engaged work, and how to develop it in a way that is grounded, thoughtful, and connected to real communities.

You develop a consistent routine.

You meet regularly with the same group.
You stay engaged with your work over a 12-week period.
You continue developing something that already matters to you.

In the program, you return to your work each week with a clear focus. You are not figuring everything out on your own. Facilitators support you as you make decisions about your work, helping you identify what to focus on next and how to keep it moving forward.

This is how progress happens.

Not all at once.

But steadily, through consistent engagement.

Participation is offered at no cost to participants as part of the Lightstand Project’s community-based work. Cohort size is limited, with participants grouped by academic level.

Applications are open for the August 2026 cohort. If you are already working on something connected to a community and want to keep moving it forward, this program provides a space to do that with consistent support and accountability.

Learn more:
https://thelightstandproject.com/community-engagement-program/community-engaged-scholars/

This includes students at different stages (from high school through doctoral study) as well as adult learners working in community, nonprofit, or educational settings.

Participation is offered at no cost to participants as part of the Lightstand Project’s community-based work. Cohort size is limited, with participants grouped by academic level.

Participants engage in community-based work while developing their approach through reflection, guided learning, and practice. You work on your own project within a 12-week cohort, supported by a facilitator and alongside other participants working in their own contexts.

August 2026 Cohort

• Application deadline: June 30, 2026

• Decision notifications: July 6, 2026

• Cohort begins: August 3, 2026

If you are currently working on something connected to a community, and want structured time and support to move it forward, you can apply for this cohort.

Learn more and apply:
https://thelightstandproject.com/community-engagement-program/community-engaged-scholars/

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