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Student Opportunities

FOR STUDENTS

Overview

For students who would like to get more involved with the flourishing of the UVA community, CSC offers three distinct ways to engage. The Contemplative Commons Student Advisors bring the building to life with vibrant student programming; Citizen Leaders Fellows program addresses challenges and injustices within communities at UVA; and CSC student employees support the work of each team within the Center as well as the functioning of the Contemplative Commons. Explore to learn more about these paid and unpaid opportunities. Also, check out our Student Hub page!

Citizen Leaders Fellowship (CLF)

The Citizen Leaders Fellowship is a collaboration between the Contemplative Sciences Center, the International Studies Office, and UVA Athletics. The Fellowship offers eligible students a year-long opportunity to develop leadership skills grounded in contemplation.

Participants from three specific communities – international students, student athletes, and transfer students – identify challenges affecting their peers or communities and work to address them using evidence-based approaches. By the end of the fellowship year, participants cultivate their own style of citizen leadership, empowering them to lead purposeful lives while making it possible for others to do the same.

The program emphasizes the concept of flourishing and encourages students to envision ways to enhance the well-being of the UVA community through reflective activities, mentorship, and academic engagement, incorporating contemplative and ethnographic methods to drive meaningful change.

 

Contemplative Commons Student Advisors (CCSA)

The Contemplative Commons Student Advisors (CCSA) at UVA are students dedicated to infusing the Contemplative Commons with the unique energy and vitality of student life. CCSA are the student hosts of the Contemplative Commons, inviting and welcoming students into the space. The CCSA pioneers diverse programs, events, and engagement for students beyond well-known contemplative practices such as yoga and meditation. They collaborate to understand the interests and well-being needs of UVA students, crafting innovative programming accordingly.

The inaugural cohort consists of 12 students representing diverse backgrounds, academic disciplines, and levels of study, all with varying experiences in contemplative practices. For more information, see the announcement for the CCSA program.

 

Student Employment

Students can earn money while learning alongside Contemplative Sciences Center staff. Hourly student work is usually available across most areas of CSC work including research, programming, administration, event planning, facility operations, and communications. Hone a skill or learn something new while working in the Contemplative Commons with direct mentorship from staff. The CSC also offers benefits for student employees such as social events, free headshots, access to work-space, and other professional and personal development opportunities.

Check back often for open student positions. Federal Work Study applicants are encouraged to apply. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, unless otherwise noted.

 

Looking Forward

We look forward to our public opening in early April 2025 when we will offer an even more robust schedule of activities and academic classes than our initial piloted offerings when we opened in August, 2024. At that time we also completed interactive art installations including the NINFEO and the Conservatory, unique opportunities to experience contemplative environments of light and sound. Subscribe to CSC news to keep informed.