The Charles Green Endowed Fund for Civic Engagement at Macalester College

Civic Engagement Fellowship
Just as Chuck Green has instilled in his students the confidence to act on their beliefs, the Civic Engagement Fellowship will enable students to put their ideas into action. Advanced students will be eligible to apply for a seven-month fellowship that includes a spring seminar and a funded summer internship. Each student fellow will study democratic engagement in social and organizational change, identify a client (an individual or a public service organization) with whom the student can analyze and address a problem, and then work with that client on a mutually agreed-upon solution.

The spring seminar will provide an academic foundation for studying democratic theories, organizations and change. Students will read relevant literature, examine case studies, write reflective papers and engage with guest speakers from the public service community. During the course of the seminar, each student fellow will identify a client—usually from the communitywide (or worldwide) network of Macalester alumni. Students will select a policy, social or organizational problem and, supported by peer review and consultation, will create a written proposal outlining feasible strategies and solutions.

During the summer—supported by a $4,000 stipend—the student will work full-time on-site in partnership with the client, implementing the agreedupon proposal. Periodically, fellows will meet as a group during the summer to discuss progress, review problems and provide mutual support.

A strong component of the fellowship is the direct involvement of alumni with the college and its students. Professor Green has inspired generations of innovative and influential leaders; this fellowship provides a vehicle to connect those leaders with new generations of students who aspire to be creative entrepreneurs in shaping civic life. The fellowship will culminate in early fall with an event in which fellows, faculty and clients have an opportunity to re.ect on the fellowship experience.

Chuck Green joined the Macalester College faculty in 1965 with a B.A. from Augustana College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. His research and consulting are in organizational studies (with emphasis on decision-making and decision support systems), science technology policy and education policy.