Middlebury Social Impact Scholars Program

Connecting students to social change in Monterey, California

About MSIC 

The Middlebury Social Impact Scholars Program (MSI Scholars) program is a Conflict Transformation partnership-based experiential learning program that connects students to social change through unique experiential learning opportunities. A select cohort of Middlebury College (Interns) and MIIS graduate students (Scholars) are matched with a community partner focused on impact within a local/regional context. This experiential learning program focuses on six pillars: adaptability, commitment, inquiry, narrative, reflection, and partnership. In partnership with organizations, MSIC members gain knowledge, skills, and dispositions for purposeful careers in social impact. Students engage in community-based research, partnership development, and mentorship relevant to the community partner and communities with whom they work, preparing them to become purposeful global citizens in the field of social impact. 

By participating as a MSI Scholar, MIIS students will:

• Engage in action research about their experience within the cohort and with the community partner
• Explore models of partnership for social impact
• Demonstrate leadership & collaboration skills by engaging in intern and cohort mentorship
• Reflect upon and explore their contribution to the mission of the community partner, the MSIC cohort, and the greater good of the community where they will engage

Summer 2024 Community Partner: Blue Zones Project Monterey County

Live longer, better

Blue Zones Project® encourages changes in our community that lead to healthier options. When our entire community participates—from our worksites and schools to our restaurants and grocery stores—the small changes contribute to huge benefits for all of us: lowered healthcare costs, improved productivity, and ultimately, a higher quality of life. 

Blue Zones Project  develops deep relationships with a broad array of organizations in a community to help make healthy choices become easy choices in all of the places where people live, work, learn, and play.

Blue Zones Project brings residents and business owners together with a focus on improving well-being for themselves and their neighbors. Approved organizations have shared goals, and when an entire community participates, the small changes contribute to huge benefits for all: lowered healthcare costs, improved productivity, and ultimately, a higher quality of life.

The MSIC Summer 2024 cohort will work through the  Blue Zones Project to specifically focus on the ParksRX program.  The cohort will synthesize established ParkRX programs across the US, and spend the summer engaging with  community members and community partners to expand  this program in Monterey County. Specific tasks may include observation of community meetings, interviews with clinicians and community members, creation of digital storytelling materials, identifying best practices, creating a ParkRX for Monterey County toolkit.

MSIC Scholars Details

This is an in-person internship. 

A $2500 funding award will be provided. Housing at Munras on the MIIS campus or a housing stipend  is included for Scholars, if of interest.  Project work is estimated to be 35 hours per week.

Skills and Experience: 

• Spanish proficiency is preferable, but not required;
• Experience facilitating group processes;
• Research and data analytical skills are preferable, but not required;
• Survey design and/or implementation experience;
• GIS mapping experience is preferable, but not required
• Experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Program Dates:

Summer date: July 23 – August 27, 2024*

*Some in-person and/or online training may be required prior to July 23 and will include a debrief in Fall 2024. 

Program Fees:

Participant cost is covered through acceptance into the Middlebury Social Impact Corps program. This includes extensive training, mentoring, housing, and an on-going student support system. 

How to Apply:

Applications Due: Sunday, March 31 at 11:55pmPST

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and complete the MSIC January 2024 Scholar Application. Applications will be considered once all materials have been submitted.

If you have questions please contact Dr. Netta Avineri, MSIC Faculty Director, MIIS Language Teacher Education & Intercultural Communication Faculty Member, or Dana Anderson Middlebury College Innovation Hub Associate Director, Creativity & Innovation.