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Community Engagement Service Award

The Community Engagement Service Award (CESA) recognizes MHCC students committed to changing the world through volunteering, civic, and community engagement. The program recognizes and celebrates MHCC students’ work in their community and with MHCC partners. 

Vision 

CESA recognizes students who have contributed volunteer support to the community at large during their time at MHCC. 

Mission 

The purpose of CESA is to foster civic and community engagement, support transformative relationships between community organizations and MHCC, and highlight the contributions of MHCC students to the region and world. 

Award Requirements 

To become a CESA applicant, students must... 

  • Be currently enrolled as a MHCC student. 
  • Have a desire to make a positive difference in the world! 
  • Be open to new experiences. 
  • Be motivated, service-oriented, and have a desire to develop as a leader. 
  • Demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and accountability. 

Program Requirements 

MHCC students who complete and log at least 50 service hours will be recognized for their service to the community at the end-of-year CESA ceremony and will receive a certificate acknowledging the hours completed. 

Service hours must: 

  • Meet a recognized community need through an organized group or non-profit agency organization. 
  • Provide service to the MHCC community or assist an individual person in need. 
  • Be performed without paid compensation. 
  • Amount to 50 hours or more of community service completed while pursuing your degree. 

To become a CESA applicant, students must: 

  • Be currently enrolled MHCC student. 
  • Have a desire to make a positive difference in the world! 
  • Be open to new experiences. 
  • Be motivated, service-oriented, and have a desire to develop as a leader. 
  • Demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and accountability. 

Recognition and Certification 

Upon completion of the program requirements, all CESA students will: 

  • Be recognized as a CESA recipient at graduation. 
  • Create an involvement and service transcript. 
  • Earn a certificate of achievement from the Office Student Life and Civic Engagement. 
  • Be recognized at the annual CESA celebration. 
  • Have helped create positive, sustainable change in our communities! 

Why should students get involved? 

Community Impact 

Each CESA student will align their work with an issue area throughout the course of their year in the program. Ideally, the issue area supports and builds upon their academic pursuits and interests so that students are getting tangible and practical experience for their long-term learning. 

MHCC Impact 

The CESA emphasizes students who have volunteered to the surrounding community, and provides visibility for programs that positively impacting the region through their organized volunteer efforts. 

Managed through The Office of Student Life and Civic Engagement, this award will help students: 

  • Learn local community needs and how to get engaged. 
  • Discover different pathways to community learning and civic involvement. 
  • Create positive social impact on campus. 
  • Utilize their learning and experiences to help address a social problem. 
  • Network with socially-minded faculty and community leaders. 
  • Explore their passions, interests, and identity through different community experiences. 
  • Earn a certificate designation: The Community Engagement Service Award.