To current first year students and sophomores in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering:

At this time, as you are selecting your courses for the 2011 Fall semester, I would like to draw your attention to the Kenneth Cole Community Engagement Program, an exciting program offering for students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. This program empowers students with the skills necessary to implement effective community problem solving and change. After the completion of a two-course academic requirement and a one-credit spring seminar, the program culminates in a paid summer internship project within a local organization where Kenneth Cole Fellows work with community partners to build community capacity, address pressing local problems, encourage social action, and strengthen the local community. The program also provides students with summer housing.

Applications for the program will be available in the fall, but I am writing to you now in order to make you aware of the academic courses that are required for application to this program. Specifically, at least one of the required courses must be completed by the end of the 2011 fall semester in order for students to be eligible to apply so you may want to consider this as you choose your courses for the fall semester. You may view the list of required courses and learn more about the program, by visiting the Kenneth Cole Community Engagement Program web site . We recognize that there are many additional courses that address issues germane to civic engagement, therefore students may ask permission for alternate courses to be approved for inclusion in the program. In this case, College students should email Dr. Roosevelt Montas and Engineering students Dr. Tim Cross .

If you have any questions about the program or the course requirements, please feel free to email me .

Sincerely,

Todd M. Smith
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Office of Civic Action and Engagement
Lerner Hall, Room 515