MyLU Insider

Michelle Buchinger

Author: Michelle Buchinger

Applications open for funded summer experiences

Student applications for funded summer internships and summer projects are open!

There are two categories of funds we distribute:

  1. Sites at which Lawrence has per-arranged opportunities (applications and acceptance are still required for funding)
  2. Sites which are open competition with other students at other institutions, and Lawrence provides Lawrence students with funding if successful in application.

Exclusive for Lawrence students

The following opportunities have internships that are reserved exclusively for Lawrence students, are funded by Lawrence University, and the internships are at specific sites.

LU-Funded Internship Sites

Students apply on Handshake. Deadline to apply is March 29, 2024

  • Bread for the World (Washington, D.C.)
  • Hope Street Coalition (Tentatively remote with a potential trip to Washington D.C.)
  • Safe Passage Project (New York, NY)
  • Her Next Play (Twin Cities, MN)
  • Broadway Cares (New York, NY)
  • Merit School of Music (Chicago, IL)
  • New York Jazz Academy (New York, NY)
  • Carnegie Hall (TBD)
  • Center for Deep Listening (Remote, in-person at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or hybrid) 

Diversity in Conservation internship sites

All sites are in Wisconsin.

Students apply on Handshake. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2024.

Learn more about Diversity in Conservation

  • Badgerland Bird Alliance
  • Gathering Waters
  • International Crane Foundation
  • Lake Michigan Bird Observatory
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • UW-Madison Arboretum
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Natural Heritage Conservation
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Office of Applied Science
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife Management
  • Zoological Society of Milwaukee

Colorado College Institute

Students are placed upon being accepted to the program. Deadline to apply is January 26, 2024.

Learn more about CO College Institute


For more information about these internships or application instructions, visit the Lawrence website or email Michelle.m.buchinger@lawrence.edu .

Other opportunities

The following funds are for summer internships and summer projects at sites that are open competition with other students at other institutions, and Lawrence provides Lawrence students with funding if successful in application.

These funds all have the priority deadline of March 29, 2024. 

Students must return to campus and be enrolled for at least one term after the funded experience to be eligible. There are several options of funding in this category to which students can apply:

Summer Experience Funding – For students accepting low or non-paid internships or research projects over the summer. The internship or project must be supervised and meet each grant’s criteria.

Dennis Huebner Pre-Law Fund – This stipend can offset or cover expenses related to exploring or pursuing opportunities related to a career in the legal profession. This grant prioritizes supporting juniors and returning seniors.

Eloise Frick Cherven Fund – This fund supports student projects and research that pursue some line of investigation or other activity that would broaden their experience or knowledge, help others, and prove of future value. Projects in any area are eligible, though preference will be given to students majoring in or projects related to geology.

Class of 1968 Peace & Social Activism Project Fund – This fund supports individual or collaborative projects by students and faculty that address these issues in a historical or contemporary context from a local, regional, national, or global perspective. Examples of the issues and topics that are addressed through these projects include the prevention of conflict, non-aggression, race, gender, ethnic identity, religious tolerance, and the environment.

Priority deadline for students to apply for these funds is March 29, 2024.

For more information funding opportunities or application instructions, visit the Lawrence website or email Michelle.m.buchinger@lawrence.edu .

Volunteer for Light the Night Event!

On Friday, May 19 we need your help to make this event a success! LU and Appleton Downtown, Inc. need volunteers for the following areas:

  • Set Up: 2-5 p.m.
  • Support Performer Areas: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
  • Clean Up: 9:30-11:30 p.m.

There will be an open-air night market with 70+food/craft vendors, live music,and hands-on activities! Sign-up to volunteer for this fun and festive event today!

Sign-Up HERE!

National Volunteer Week

Happy National Volunteer Week!

Did you volunteer this school year? If so, the CCE wants to celebrate you and your community efforts!

Stop by the CCE on the fourth floor of Warch on April 20-21 to receive a certificate and a goodie bag as a token of our appreciation. We are so grateful to have a community of student volunteers at Lawrence!

Save the Date: Duck Duck Democracy Event on March 28

Duck Duck Democracy is an opportunity for students to become civically engaged.

There is a Wisconsin state election coming up on Tuesday, April 4, and this event will allow students to become familiar with the voting process and educational resources. This is a space for students to explore what democracy means to them and learn about meaningful civic participation. Students can learn about voter registration, voter ID cards, transportation to the polls, ballot information, and more. Duck Duck Democracy will feature games and activities, free food, speakers from the League of Women Voters, and prizes!

Join the CCE for this event on Tuesday March 28 from 6-8 p.m. in Somerset! (Warch Campus Center)

Building Bridges Across Generations event set for Nov. 10

Join the Center for Community Engagement and Common Ground for a community conversation on Building Bridges Across Generations! 

The event is set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 in Warch Campus Center (Pusey Room).

The focus of this conversation will be engaging folks of all ages to build stronger and more inclusive communities. Trained facilitators will lead small group discussions on the following prompts: What does it mean to be engaged in your community and how do you get started? How do we get people of all ages involved in shaping the world for future generations? 

This discussion will invite attendees to look at how we can work together across generations, valuing and harnessing each other’s unique perspectives and wisdom to shape our community into exactly what we want to see in the future. Coffee, hot cocoa, and desserts will be provided. Register HERE!

Register for a VASE Program!

Viking Ambassadors in Service and Engagement (VASE) aims to get Lawrence students volunteering, making connections, and learning about issues in the Fox Valley community.

The CCE’s peer-led VASE programs allow you to explore an area of a specific community need that you’re passionate about and will connect you to meaningful opportunities for service and advocacy in the greater community.

Check out the links below for more information on each of our VASE programs, including how to register, weekly curricula and meeting times!

Arts & Education

Participants in the Arts & Education VASE program will engage with presentations and discussions led by guest speakers and the VASE coordinator to learn about the fields of arts engagement, how to organize outreach events, and explore systemic inequities in arts access. Further, students will become familiar with arts-related resources and organizations in Appleton while building a learning community of peers.

Child Advocacy

The Child Advocacy VASE program is designed to help students who are interested in working with children identify and promote healthy behaviors and advocate for the mental well-being of children. This program will engage students who are passionate about mental health and who hope to make a difference in the lives of local children.

Civics & Society

The 2022 Civics & Society VASE program, “Intersectionality & Inclusion in Civics & Society”, will teach students the importance of including diverse identities in government positions, and of protecting and furthering minority participation in civic actions like voting and protesting. Participating students will engage in various learning activities, including guest speakers, discussions, and trips. 

Environment & Sustainability

The VASE program in Environment & Sustainability will give students the opportunity to learn about environmental justice, climate change, environmental activism, and more. They will do this by participating in active learning activities, hearing from speakers who work on these issues in the Fox Valley, and spending time volunteering for environmental causes with organizations like Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and Riverview Gardens.

Fair Housing & Hunger

The Fair Housing VASE program seeks to educate Lawrentians about issues of homelessness in the Fox Valley. The local nonprofit organizations we will work with include Pillars, Harbor House, Loaves and Fishes, and Habitat for Humanity. Through in-person volunteering and reflection on the issues of homelessness, students will become equipped with knowledge and desires to make a difference. 

Valley Transit Riding Training

Do you want to use the Valley Transit bus, but are not sure how? Sign up for a 30-minute training session with one of the CCE Staff! The CCE staff are certified by Valley Transit to train others how to ride the bus and safely get to their destination. With Lawrence’s new partnership with Valley Transit, all it takes is your LU ID, and you get FREE RIDES!


As an added bonus, during winter term, if you take a selfie at a bus stop and tag @lucareersandcommunity AND @valleytransit, you will get put into a drawing for one of three $25 gift cards!


Appointments for training are set up in Handshake. Once in Handshake, click “Community Engagement and Volunteering” and then “Valley Transit Training” and get signed up for training today!

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR TRAINING!

Viking Ambassadors in Service & Engagement (VASE)

The CCE’s peer-led VASE programs allow you to explore an area of community need that you’re passionate about and will connect you to meaningful opportunities for service and advocacy in the Fox Valley.

Registration opens Week 9. Check out the links below for more information on each of our VASE programs, including weekly curricula and meeting times!

Arts & Education

Child Advocacy

Civics & Society

Environment & Sustainability

Fair Housing & Hunger

Upcoming February Service Events

Are you interested in attending an event this month? If so, register today for one of the multiple events that the CCE is promoting over the next couple weeks!


On -Campus Service Opportunity:


When: February 14th from 12:00pm-3:00pm

Where: Mead Witter Room, Warch Campus Center.

What: Join CCE staff, SAASHA, and Planned Parenthood in packing Safer Sex kits for distribution across campus. This is a drop-in service opportunity – NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This opportunity was planned in coordination with Wellness Services’ “It’s On Us” week.

Pillars Volunteer Opportunity:

When: Friday, February 18th from 2:00-4:00pm

Where: Pillars Adult and Family Shelter in Appleton

What: Make dinner for people at the Pillars Adult and Family Shelter. All ingredients and instructions will be provided. Transportation for this event will be provided through the CCE. Please meet at the Wriston turnaround on at 1:45 pm. Register here! https://givepul.se/zoodd7


Covey Volunteer Opportunity:

When: Saturday, February 19th from 3:30-5:30pm

Where: Covey Respite Care Facility in Oshkosh

What: Students will complete paper snowflake craft led by our project leader with clients at Covey, a Respite Care facility committed to providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families in the Fox Cities. The clients are super excited to get to meet and create art with students! Students will meet at the Wriston Turnaround at 3:15pm on Saturday. Expect to return to campus between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. All materials will be provided. Dinner will be provided to all participants. Register here!  https://givepul.se/ltakgb

Volunteer with Covey!

About the opportunity: Lawrence students will complete a paper snowflake craft led by our project leader with clients at Covey, a Respite Care facility committed to providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families in the Fox Cities. The clients are super excited to get to meet and create art with Lawrence students! All materials will be provided. And BONUS…Dinner will be provided to all participants!

How you will get there: Students will meet at the Wriston Turnaround at 3:15pm on Saturday, February 19th to travel to Covey. Expect to return to campus between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. 

Where you sign up: Navigate to the Covey service event page on GivePulse and register today! https://givepul.se/ltakgb

Safety details: Covid-19 mitigation procedures such as masking, social distancing, etc will be enforced.

More information about Covey Respite Care: https://covey.org/