Community-Engaged Fellows
Community-Engaged Fellows advocate for community engagement and pursue community-engaged work. During the academic year, Fellows serve as ambassadors for CCESL, mentor undergraduate students, learn and reflect with their peers, and develop and implement a community-engaged project. Through these community-engaged projects, Fellows connect their academic and professional endeavors to supporting thriving communities.
This is a paid position open to graduate students and undergraduate students with advanced experience in community engagement who are enrolled for the entire 2024-2025 academic year.
The 2024 - 2025 application is now closed. Check back in Spring 2025 for the next application cycle.
Questions?Featured Projects

Naichen Zhao
Naichen Zhao joined the Fellows program as a Ph.D. student in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Denver and a community engagement fellow at the Center for Community Engagement to advance Scholarship and Learning (CCESL). Her work focused on connecting educational theory with community practice, addressing equity and access in education. Through her projects, Naichen leveraged her background in research and design to collaborate on initiatives that reflected CCESL’s mission of fostering civic engagement and social justice, driving forward solutions that aligned with community needs and academic scholarship.

Daniela Chavez
Daniela Chavez joined the Fellows program as a first-generation college student, pursuing undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology, with a minor in Spanish. She was involved with CCESL and worked with the Valverde Movement Project, advocating for green initiatives in underserved communities. Daniela also held an internship with YouthRoots, empowering youth through philanthropy. Her projects reflected her deep commitment to community building and environmental justice, aligning with CCESL’s mission to promote civic engagement and social equity. Through her leadership and outreach efforts, she inspired positive change in her community.

Leslie Macias
Leslie Macias is pursuing a dual degree in Social Work and International Human Rights with a focus on Ecological Justice at the University of Denver. Her background in community organizing and social services, particularly advocating for human trafficking victims, informs her work in creating equitable access to green spaces for marginalized communities. Through her CCESL affiliation, Leslie works on projects like the Sand Creek Regional Greenway, aiming to bridge environmental justice with community engagement, aligning with CCESL's mission of fostering societal change through innovation and collaboration.
2024-2025 Fellows Projects
2023-2024 Fellows Projects
2022-2023 Fellows Projects
Past Featured Fellows Articles





