Get Involved

If you’re like most college students today, you’re juggling a lot of responsibilities: work, family, friends, community commitments, and perhaps a few personal interests or hobbies as well! However, the experience of being in college doesn’t last forever, and many students enjoy their college experience more when they are actively involved. At CCV, there are many opportunities to forge new friendships; explore different career opportunities; network with faculty, staff and community members; and fulfill personal interests. Additionally, many of these opportunities can also enhance your studies.

Serve on the Student Advisory Board (SAB) and other committees

Have you ever wondered what kind of leader you would be?

If you have served as a leader, and would like to continue to hone your skills, consider joining the student advisory board. You should join the SAB if have ideas for improving CCV’s programs, activities, and if you want to learn more about how the College works and have your voice heard. Being on the SAB will also enable you to learn new skills, meet new people and build up your resume.

The SAB offers students the chance to take on a leadership role with regard to the College. Members discuss important issues, collaborate with faculty and staff, and recommend improvements to CCV programs, policies, and services. SAB members offer advice, plan engaging academic center activities, and have the opportunity to serve on various CCV and state-wide committees, advisory boards and councils. SAB offers students tremendous opportunities to get involved in a variety of ways and to have great impact.

To join your SAB, please contact your academic advisor.

Organize Local Activites at Your Center

CCV students have talent and heart. Each year, groups of students work in their academic centers to showcase artistic work, sponsor activities for the community, and organize discussion groups. For instance, each fall, the College holds Harvest for Hunger which highlights issues related to hunger and solicits donations for local food banks. In December and April, several academic centers sponsor events connected to the visual and performing arts. Each spring, CCV promotes Wellness Week—focusing on our physical, mental, and spiritual health and the health of our environment. Each academic center chooses to showcase and organize these important activities differently – student creativity, energy and enthusiasm are needed and are always welcome.

If you’re interested in participating in an established event, contact a SAB member or your academic instructor. New ideas are encouraged, and if you have an idea you would like to suggest, please share! Again, you can speak with a SAB member, your advisor, or an instructor.

Study Abroad

• Learn about Julius Caesar standing among ancient Roman ruins with the Colosseum in the visible distance.

• Explore Irish mythology while standing on the Hill of Tara.

• Imagine confronting Cyclops as Odysseus did as you stand in Mycenae.

CCV Study Abroad courses allow students to use the world as their classroom. There are multiple benefits associated with study abroad programs. Not only will you have the chance to develop a fuller and more diverse perspective on your studies and the world, but these programs often have a lasting impact on individuals themselves—their ability to solve problems, communicate, empathize with others, and develop self-confidence.

For many CCV students, study abroad is a life-changing educational experience:

“Combining the travel with the knowledge gained prior to landing on foreign turf is a wonderful way of reaching out to the global community.”

“It was a magical experience, traveling throughout the small towns, seeing the incredible scenery and feeling the presence of the history of Ireland everywhere I went.”

“In 2009 I was able to participate in the 'Study Away' class to New Orleans to immerse ourselves in the culture 4 years post-Katrina. We worked with families in the Lower 9th Ward helping them to rebuild their homes and their lives. It was a life-changing experience for me each and every day.”

Each semester CCV offers a study abroad course. Visit the Study Abroad page and ask your academic advisor for more information.

Participate in Service Learning

CCV uses little black boxes to designate service learning classes in the course schedule each semester. Service learning is a teaching approach that combines what is learned in the classroom with real- world experiences. Students engaged in service learning literally “learn by doing” and use the community and their experience as a “live textbook” for the class – another powerful source of information to complement course readings, lectures, and discussions.

Service learning allows students to increase understanding of class topics, gain hands-on experiences and network with members of the community. Students who have been a part of often feel a great sense of satisfaction – not only have they learned new information, gained new skills and met new people, but they have also provided a service to the community.

CCV offers numerous courses with service learning activities each semester; check the catalog or ask your advisor for more information.

America Reads

You can help make a difference in a child's life. If you qualify for work study, you can earn money, build your resume, and read to young children through the America Reads Program. Many of Vermont's school children can benefit from additional learning time and personal attention. Reading to children can increase their mastery of reading skills, raise self-esteem and self-confidence, and improve students’ attitudes towards school.

The America Reads program targets children in Pre-K through 3rd or 4th grade. The program’s goal is for all kids to read independently by the end of Grade 4. CCV students act as Reading Partners, reading one-on-one with children. America Reads helps kids read better by helping them learn to love books.

Here is what some students earning money through the America Reads program have said:

"Seeing the children improve their reading and knowing that it is because of you, gives you a wonderful feeling."

"I would encourage anyone with this interest to get involved because you will make a difference, and that is enough to make anyone feel good."

"The students are always excited when I arrive. They really got into the stories we read, and wanted to keep reading more."

Students may also use America Reads as a component of a CWE field placement. If you are interested in becoming an America Reads reader, contact the America Reads Supervisor at your academic center.

To learn more about how to obtain a paid America Reads work-study position, click here.