1. Scholar Experience
  2. Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement

Civic engagement is at the core of the Levine Scholars Program (LSP). Through a commitment to ongoing volunteerism, internships with local nonprofits, grant projects with community partners, and customized curricula, Levine Scholars graduate fully prepared to begin their next chapter as versatile intellects, thoughtful leaders and compassionate humanitarians.

Guided by the mission of the Leon Levine Foundation, scholars continue to find ways to improve the human condition by creating permanent, measurable, life-changing impact. Collectively, Levine Scholars prepare a meal each month at Ronald McDonald House. Through Dance Marathon, an annual fundraiser launched in 2014, scholars have worked with campus and community partners to raise nearly $200,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network and Levine Children’s Hospital. In spring 2017, scholars joined forces with Habitat for Humanity to spend a week in Lewisburg, WV rebuilding homes through the LSP’s first annual Alternative Spring Break trip. The second annual Alternative Spring Break trip took scholars to Roanoke, VA in spring 2018. The third trip was to Chattanooga, TN and the fourth was to Charleston, SC.  Scholars have also traveled to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico for May service trips.  

One hallmark of the program is the $8,000 civic engagement grant scholars receive to implement projects of their own design in partnership with local nonprofits. From building a natural playground at the local Easter Seals Center to raising resources and awareness on human trafficking to helping refugees acclimate, scholars continue to develop their own strategies for uplifting others in our community. A sampling of scholars’ civic engagement grant projects are listed below:

  • American Workday – published book featuring interviews with the American workforce
  • Art exhibit showcasing a musical exploration of U.S. transportation systems
  • Art exhibit featuring state artists and fundraiser for Everybody Eats
  • Aquaponics facility at local high school
  • Beehive installation to promote sustainability in Charlotte
  • Capturing Leadership – middle school service and leadership through photography
  • Charlotte uprising exhibit
  • College readiness workshops and college prep resource center at local library
  • Community garden at UNC Charlotte
  • Construction of calisthenics course on UNC Charlotte's campus
  • Dismantling racism/leadership development workshops
  • Furniture pipeline from dorm to Restore
  • Garden at assisted living facility
  • Health literacy app for hispanic teens
  • HIV prevention cultural sensitivity training
  • Isometric exercise classes at women’s shelter
  • Kings Mountain Historical Museum storage improvements
  • La Boheme Opera workshop
  • Levine Hall Green Globes certification
  • Mammogram screenings and health education
  • Meteorology broadcasting studio
  • Nature and bird walk for assisted living residents
  • Not In My City – human trafficking prevention awareness and fundraising
  • Patchwork Epiphany – art classes for patients at Levine Children’s Hospital and silent auction
  • Post-partum depression support groups
  • Reedy Creek Park sporting facilities improvement project
  • Service Charlotte  – annual community service day in Charlotte
  • STEM kits and training sessions for teachers at local elementary school
  • Therapeutic riding arena reconstruction for children with disabilities at local equestrian center
  • Tutoring for kids in foster care
  • Uncovering Charlotte – multimedia project highlighting the narratives of girls and Black women

 

Gabriella, Alex, Esteban and Matt hang out on some of the equipment they constructed for their calisthenics course at UNC Charlotte.
Launched by a group of Levine Scholars in 2014, Charlotte Dance Marathon has raised nearly $200,000 for the Children's Miracle Network and the Levine Children's Hospital.
Levine Scholars prepare a meal each month for the families at Ronald McDonald House.
Levine Scholars spent a week in West Virginia rebuilding a home during the program's first Alternative Spring Break trip.
James combined his engineering and education degrees to create a natural playground, complete with edible plants, at the local Easter Seals Center.
Through Patchwork Epiphany, Noelle facilitated art workshops for patients at the Levine Children's Hospital and hosted an art exhibit showcasing child and UNC Charlotte student art with an accompanying silent auction fundraiser.
Five Levine Scholars worked together to build a community garden on UNC Charlotte's campus.
An example of some of the apparel sold to raise funds for anti-human trafficking awareness through the Not In My City Project.
Kaitlyn and Jefferson teamed up to bring a Green Globes sustainability certification to Levine Hall.
Brandon worked with local artists to produce an art exhibit and fundraiser benefiting Everybody Eats.
Isabel used her architecture degree to create a garden club and outdoor space at a local assisted living community.
Addy and Caroline brought beehives to Charlotte to promote sustainability.
Seth speaks with residents at the Brookdale Senior Living Residence about the nature and bird walk he is creating.
Three Levine scholars majoring in engineering, education and computer science respectively, combined their skills to create STEM kits and training sessions for teachers at a local elementary school.
Jasmine sponsored the purchase of a handcycle to facilitate individual participation in the annual Cycle to the Sea fundraising ride from Charlotte to Myrtle Beach, SC.
The first annual Service Charlotte day was organized by three Levine Scholars.
Tanner and Jackie created a video and art exhibit to showcase UNC Charlotte student Victoria Byers' (pictured left) photography project documenting the China Grove Latino community.
Casey's Charlotte Uprising Exhibit displayed in UNC Charlotte's Atkins Library capturing images and critical commentary following the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte.
In partnership with Right Moves Youth, Ryan worked with Albermarle Middle School using photography to capture service and youth leadership in the school.
Scholars help rebuild a home in Roanoke, VA during the second annual Alternative Spring Break trip in May 2018.