Indiana University Indianapolis
EN-1: Student Educators Program

The Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) Service Learning Assistant (SLA) positions work an average of 10 hours per week. SLAs work alongside an environmental science students from IUPUI, CEES staff, and a community partner delivering environmental science education in a variety of community parks and gardens. CEES hosts 10-14 service learning projects for IUPUI students per semester (More information: http://cees.iupui.edu/education/environmental-service-learning-undergrad). SLAs also assist with research and report writing associated with the service learning program, field and laboratory research at CEES, and educating their peers at service learning events. Description of peer-to-peer activities: - SLAs act as in-field educational resources for students taking part in environmental service learning events at IUPUI. They train their peers on academic topics including: invasive species, water quality, soil health, ecosystem services, endangered species, dead zones, climate change, and others. They also lead in-field invasive species removal events. - SLAs also engage their peers in how to solve the issues learned in the field in their every day life - SLAs are to plan, organize, and host one service learning event (in addition to the 10-14 CEES service learning events hosted every semseter) for their peers on their own at some point each semester

SLAs are chosen through a competitive process. Applicants must meet all academic requirements (see below) and submit a resume, statement of interest, and downloadable application to CEES staff. Once applications are screened, top candidates are invited to interview. From this interview process, SLAs are selected. SLA ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS An IUPUI undergraduate student who is selected by faculty or professional staff must: - Have completed at least 15 credit hours at IUPUI - Carry at least a 2.75 grade point average - Enroll in and complete at least 9 credit hours at IUPUI during the semester in which he or she receives the SLA scholarship. (The minimum for summer awards is 3 credit hours.) An IUPUI graduate student who is selected by faculty or professional staff must: - Complete at least 6 credit hours at IUPUI - Carry at least a 3.00 grade point average (or 3.00 undergraduate GPA if in his or her first semester of graduate school) - Enroll in and complete at least 6 credit hours at IUPUI during the semester in which he or she receives the SLA scholarship. (The minimum for summer awards is 3 credit hours.)

CEES SLAs are trained by CEES staff, IUPUI Center for Service and Learning Staff, and community partners. CEES STAFF TRAINING: SLAs must: - Attend CEES SLA orientation - Meet weekly with their CEES supervisor for project updates, work assignments, and for staff meetings - Attend community partner meetings to introduce themselves to partners they will be working with throughout the semester(s) - Receive in-field training on a weekly basis once service learning events begin CENTER FOR SERVICE AND LEARNING TRAINING: SLAs must: - Attend SLA orientation - Complete at least one professional development activity and write a reflection on the experience - Submit a final report narrative upon completion of the SLA

SLAs are funded through the IUPUI Center for Service and Learning.