ACE Program

The Assistants in Community Engagement (ACE) program matches federal work-study (FWS) students with UGA faculty in implementing, supporting, and promoting academic service-learning and engagement activities that link course-based learning to community-based activities and projects. This program, new for 2011-12, is intended to encourage more service-learning by taking some of the logistical and administrative load off of participating faculty and community partners. It also helps interested students develop experience in the university’s community engagement work.

ACEs receive work-study pay to provide 10-13 hours per week of support throughout the semester to an assigned service-learning project or course under the joint supervision of the faculty member teaching the course and the Office of Service-Learning (OSL). ACE students do not attend the class they are supporting, but instead provide assistance for the service-learning activities and logistics, e.g. providing on-site support at off-campus venues, helping coordinate student placements, course documentation and timesheets, facilitating communication and feedback between campus and community partners, etc. ACEs will also keep an office hour at OSL and meet regularly with OSL faculty for continuing professional development and support in their understanding of service-learning.

ACE students must be eligible for FWS and should have previously taken part in service-learning or equivalent service activities. Preference will be given to upper division (rising junior or senior) students. Placement will be based on faculty and student requests with coordination through the Office of Service-Learning.

For more information, contact OSL Assistant Director Dr. Paul Matthews