#CaliforniansForAll College Corps at UC Merced

UC Merced Cohort Experience

All Fellows who complete their 450-hour term of service will receive a total maximum financial benefit of $10,000 paid in the form of a living allowance during service, plus an educational award upon completion of required service hours.

Ensuring that Fellows from the UC Merced Cohort feel a shared sense of identity and a common sense of purpose is a priority for the College Corps Program. It aims to promote the following priority outcomes through the Cohort experience.

To advance these outcomes, UC Merced College Corps Program will offer Fellows the opportunity to participate in the following activities and events:

• Lunch & Learn Lesson Workshops are designed to enhance skills and share knowledge in an informal setting, fostering networking and collaboration. Held during lunch hours, these workshops fit easily into busy schedules, offering an engaging, interactive learning experience that's less formal than traditional training. They also provide a beneficial break from routine, promoting overall well-being, while keeping participants updated on relevant topics. Additionally, they are a cost-effective and low-disruption way to support continuous learning and growth.
• PODS (Peers of Development & Support) are designed to facilitate mutual growth and support among individuals within the program. It provides a structured environment where peers can share experiences, offer feedback, and support each other's development. The primary goals include fostering a collaborative learning culture, enhancing personal and professional growth through peer interactions, and building a supportive network that helps individuals navigate challenges and acheve their goals. By promoting open communication and collective problem-solving, PODS contribute to a more engaged and cohesive community.
• A Personal Learning Plan: One of California Volunteers initative goals consist of the following: strives to create a generation of civic-minded leaders with the ability to bridge divides and solve. In pursuit of this goal, UC Merced College Corps has implemented a Personal Learning Plan for fellows to create goals with their community host site supervisor. The intent being that with guidance and mentorship, fellows will develop skills, knowledge and values necessary for creating community change work and strengthening civic leadership. Community Host Site Partners may use the personal learning plan as a resource tool for regular check ins.
• Participating in National Days of Service Events enhances civic engagement by encouraging fellows to actively contribute to community service and address pressing social issues. These events offer hands-on experience, improve understanding of community needs, and develop skills like teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. They also help fellows build connections with other community members and organizations, strengthening their network and impact. Overall, this requirement aligns with the program's mission to promote active citizenship and personal growth, ensuring that fellows make meaningful contributions to their communities while gaining enriching experiences.

Statewide Cohort Experience

Ensuring that Fellows from across the state feel a shared sense of identity and a common purpose is a priority for the College Corps Program. This Program aims to promote the following priority outcomes through the Statewide Cohort Experience:

• Solidarity: Fellows feel connected to each other across diverse backgrounds and geographies and connected to California Volunteers.
• Bridging: Fellows learn leadership and cross-cultural collaboration skills that help them bridge divides and navigate differences to solve problems.
• Inspiration: Fellows are inspired to pursue a lifetime of service through connections with a network of state and local leaders.

To advance these outcomes, California Volunteers will offer Fellows the opportunity to participate in the following activities and events:

• Statewide Launch & Swearing-In Celebration brings together all California Service Corps members, from across the state for an energetic kick-off to their service experience.
• Fellow Ambassador Program will engage at least two Fellows from each partner campus to receive additional training that will help them serve as spokesperson for College Corps on their campus and beyond.
• Mid-Year Leadership Workshops bring regional cohorts of Fellows together, in-person to build relationships, learn new skills, and share what they are learning through their own service experience.
• California Service Corps Regional Service Days will offer College Corps Fellows the opportunity to gain service hours serving side by side with other California Service Corps members.
• End-of-Year Ceremony will celebrate the end of a transformative year and recognize California Service Corps members statewide for their accomplishments.

Introduction to Our Service and Community Impact

UC Merced College Corps is devoted to creating meaningful connections with our community through partnerships with nonprofit and governmental organizations. Our fellows play a vital role in addressing California's most pressing challenges, contributing to initiatives that uplift both students and their communities. By fostering responsible civic engagement, we strive to meet critical needs in four primary focus areas identified by California Volunteers:

• K-12 Education
• Food Security
• Climate Action
• Public Health

Explore the Cohort 3 Community Host Partners page to learn about the exciting host sites where Fellows serve within the Merced community!

Service Placement Guidelines

Community Host Partners play an important role in mentoring Fellows, ensuring they are doing meaningful work, and gaining practical job skills. California Volunteers shared the following guidelines with Partner Campuses and Community Host Partners.

College Corps Fellows must:

• Serve primarily with one Community Host Partner throughout their term of service
• Spend the majority of service hours engaging directly with beneficiaries in the community, not conducting desk research or performing administrative tasks
• Conduct service directly aligned with their program's stated focus area(s) and performance measures
• Accurately log service and training hours in America Learns (an online timesheet system) on a daily or weekly basis

General Eligibility

To apply, students should meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Full-time, enrolled undergraduate student at a College Corps partner campus
• Has a high school diploma or its equivalent by start of program
• Has a high school diploma or its equivalent by start of program
• Must currently be and remain in good academic standing
• Ability to commit to the program for the full academic year

Financial Need

Eligible students should meet at least one of the following four criteria:

• Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant
• Qualifies for State Cal Grant
• Qualifies for Middle Class Scholarship

Expected Criteria for Fellows

College Corps has a competitive selection process. To be selected, students must demonstrate a willingness to fully commit to the program, complete the required number of service hours, and fully engage in all program activities throughout the entire academic year. In addition, successful applicants should demonstrate:

• Passion for working in partnership with communities to make positive change.
• Flexibility to work in different areas and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Growth mindset and eagerness to try new things.
• Interest in connecting with and learning from other students and partners across the state.
• Willingness to be an ambassador for the Fellowship on campus and beyond.

To remain eligible for College Corps, Fellows are expected to maintain full-time enrollment and remain in good academic standing for the entire academic year.

Required College Corps Aspects

As a College Corps Fellow, there are several requirements that will be needed to be fulfilled throughout their year of service. These include:

• Serving 450 hours through an in-person direct community service placement from August through June.
• Serving an average of 12-15 hours/week throughout the academic year
• Being enrolled in a designated Undergraduate Studies (USTU) course in the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semester. The USTU course is a 1-unit course.
• Attend workshops such as Pre-Service Orientation, attend two six-hour Saturday Seminars in the Fall and Spring Semesters, and Lunch & Learn Lessons to enhance professional development and personal growth.