Why become an Undergraduate Project Leader?

Change lives 

Through the Academy of Civic Life, you will be mentoring high school students from financially disadvantaged households and traditionally marginalized groups. By guiding them through the year-long civics engagement project that they will undertake, you will be helping them to bring about change in their communities. At the same time, you will be working with the students to finalize their college application materials, helping them to reach their goals and realize their dreams. As an Undergraduate Project Leader, you will be a role model, sharing your passion with high school students, empowering them, and inspiring them to accomplish great things. 

Better communities 

The civic engagement projects that the high school students in the Academy of Civic Life will undertake are focused on bringing positive change to their communities. As students develop these projects, they will identify issues of inequity and social injustice and brainstorm ways to address these projects. Their plans will be implemented in meaningful ways with the goal of bringing about real improvements.

Join the movement 

The Academy of Civic Life is part of a larger movement of high school students and university undergraduates working together to bring about the change they want to see in their communities and in the world. We are proud to have partnered with the Teagle Foundation, which is funding similar projects in colleges and universities across the country. As an Undergraduate Project Leader, you will also be working with our local partner organizations, including the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission. You and the students you are mentoring will be collaborating with Commissioners, who have offered to lend their expertise and assistance in the planning, development, and implementation projects. 

Teach and Learn 

In your role as Undergraduate Project Leader, you will be teaching high school students about civics and organizing. As they plan and carry out their civic engagement project, you will be guiding them and cheering them on. You will be mentoring these students, sharing your experiences and expertise. But you will also have the opportunity to meet and work with Commissioners from the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, learning new approaches and strategies and further developing your understanding of the ways that you can make a difference in your community.