Community Engagement Projects

Creating Citizen Scholars

Jamaica 2014The Honors commitment to service goes beyond volunteering. As an honors student, you can expect to be a Citizen Scholar, engaging in critical service-learning opportunities and working alongside community members to make an impact. You will:

  • Complete a major Community Engagement experience during your junior year. This may take the form of a course such as HONR 300 – Community Engagement Seminar, a faculty-led service trip or alternative spring break, or a self-directed community engagement project.
  • Connect with fellow honors students and local and global communities through a variety of service opportunities in honors classes and extracurricular events.
  • Reflect on the nature of service and understand its complexities.

Recent HONR 300 classes have worked to address food insecurity in Rhode Island and beyond, and advocated with Scholars at Risk on behalf of political prisoners overseas. Past service trips include working in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and the Navajo Nation. In addition, honors students have partnered with local communities and groups like the Pokanoket Tribe and Nation, the Bristol-Warren Regional School District, and the Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island through course-based and independent community engagement projects. 

Independent community engagement projects must be pre-approved by the Honors Community Engagement Committee to count for program requirements. Please consult with the Honors Director if you are considering a self-directed project.