Syracuse University

For the first time, the University will give exceptional seniors in arts, technology or
design a new fellowship option for their first year after graduation. This is an
opportunity for students to make a positive difference in Central New York-and
their own lives.

Engagement Fellowships, a project of Imagining America in partnership with
Enitiative and the Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, offers
a year of paid employment in Central New York and remitted tuition for up to four
classes a year of graduate study at SU. The Class of 2009 will be the first to have an
opportunity to apply.

Each year, five graduates will be chosen as fellows to incorporate the principles of
Scholarship in Action in yearlong projects, for which businesses and community
partners are encouraged to provide additional funding and assistance. SU and these
community organizations will join to provide the means to create an environment
where the fellows can thrive personally and professionally while benefiting the
community in significant ways.

"The Fellows Program focuses on students who have found contributing to life in
Central New York meaningful and enriching. It provides incentive to continue to live
and work in the region, not only to the five awardees but also, we hope, for other
students who give the proposal serious thought," says Jan Cohen-Cruz, director of
Imagining America. Imagining America is a national consortium of more than 80
colleges and universities whose mission is to strengthen the public role and
democratic purposes of the humanities, arts and design. IA is housed at Syracuse
University for five years, until 2012, when it will move to another member campus.

Examples of a possible fellowship focus for each area include:

• Arts: An arts major could partner with the Redhouse to organize a cadre of
  small theater companies from New York City and Central New York into a
  touring and exchange network while studying marketing and community-
  based performance practices.
  

  
  

• Technology: A computer science major could start a company in Syracuse's
  Technology Garden to provide assistance to low-income start-ups while taking
  classes in marketing, Web development and entrepreneurship.
  

  
  

• Design: An architecture major could work for a local firm to develop low-
  income housing on Syracuse's Near Westside while taking graduate courses in
  architecture.
  

"You often hear the phrase, 'The possibilities are endless,' and in this case, that
description really applies," says Bruce Kingma, director of Enitiative, SU's Campus-
Community Entrepreneurship Initiative. "They are limited only by the vision of the
partners, and, as we know, SU students are an imaginative group."

The application process is explained at http://www.engage.syr.edu, where the
application is also available to download. Prospective candidates may also call (315)
443-8590 or e-mail engage@syr.edu.