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Community Fellows Program

Now in its 29th year, the Community Fellows program is a unique partnership program between Vassar College and local non-profit and governmental agencies. Thanks to generous donors, the OCEL funds Vassar students to work full-time over the summer with a core partner organization on a specific community-identified project.

The Community Fellows Program upholds the college’s mission by engaging students and community partners in the following ways:

  • Supporting capacity building with community partners by responding to community-identified projects
  • Providing students with an opportunity to experience meaningful work in non-profit and governmental sectors
  • Investing in the future of our community through public scholarship and engagement
  • Enhancing the relevance of a liberal arts education to a purposeful life

Students apply to organizations and projects that align with their social justice passions to enhance their academic learning goals. Our partner organizations serve as co-educators and co-mentors of our Vassar students. The OCEL funds the Vassar students in an effort to best support community-based organizations in the Poughkeepsie area. This is a highly competitive program for students and presents an exciting educational opportunity for them to gain more in-depth experience with a community partner and learn from them.

Read more about the Summer 2025 Community Fellows program, student experience, and reflections in this booklet.

Components of the Community Fellows Experience

  • Attend Community Fellows Kick-Off Meeting (late May)
  • Students work full-time (35) with a community partner organization from late May to early August
  • Attend weekly cohort meetings (on Wednesdays from 5–7) with the OCEL Team
  • Work in person, unless otherwise agreed upon with the organization
  • Live in the Poughkeepsie area (either on campus or finding housing on their own)
  • Attend individual check-in meetings with OCEL Staff throughout the summer
  • Write 2 critical reflection one-page papers throughout the summer
  • Create a presentation for the Community Fellows Symposium and present work to campus and community partners

Review Community Partners & Community Fellows positions here! Applications are open from Monday February 2 - Monday, March 23, 2026.

2026 Program Timeline

  • OCEL Advertises Community Fellows Positions & Accepts Applications: Monday, February 2, 2026 – Monday – Monday, March 23, 2026
    • Applications Open: Monday, February 2, 2026
    • Applications Close: Monday, March 23, 2026
  • OCEL Send Applications to Community Partners: Tuesday, March 24th
  • Community Partners Interview Students: Tuesday, March 24 – Monday, March 30, 2026
  • Community Partners Final Decisions Submitted to OCEL (send top 3 choices ranked): Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5pm
  • Student acceptance deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 
  • OCEL Meets with Community Fellows 1:1: Weeks of April 6th and April 13th 
  • VC Summer Housing Move-In: Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
  • First day of Community Fellows kick-off meeting: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
  • Start Date at Community Partner Organization: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
  • First Community Fellows cohort meeting: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
  • Final Reflection Workshop & Dinner: Wednesday July 29, 2026
  • Last day of Community Fellows program: Friday, July 31, 2026 
  • VC Summer Housing Move-Out: Thursday, August 6, 2026
  • Community Fellows Symposium (students and partner organizations): Friday, September 25, 2026

FAQ

Is the Community Fellows Program Funded?

Yes, the Community Fellows receive a $6,000 stipend for the 10-week program.

Can I work with an organization outside of the OCEL’s Community Fellows partners?

No, the OCEL aims to build long-term, sustainable partnerships with local community partner organizations. These organizations have already agreed to participate in the program for Summer 2026. Read more about the Community Fellows Program.

Do I have to live in the Poughkeepsie area for the summer?

Yes, our Community Fellows program requires that students live either on campus or find housing locally.

Previous Community Fellows and Community Partners

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021