Invitation to Participate in Dissertation Study: Exploring how community engagement professionals (CEPs) experience mentoring within cross-institutional communities of practice

Posted by Michigan State University on February 3, 2026

Michelle Snitgen works within Michigan State University’s Center for Community Engaged Learning and is a doctoral student in MSU’s Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education program. She is reaching out to invite your participation in her IRB-approved dissertation study exploring how community engagement professionals (CEPs) experience mentoring within cross-institutional communities of practice (communities of practice are loosely defined and may include learning communities, fellow programs, etc.).

If you are a CEP and interested in participating, please click here to complete a short interest form (~3 minutes to complete) and she will follow up by email with additional details and to answer any questions.

Consider supporting this study in one or more of the following ways:

• Participate yourself
• Forward this invitation to colleagues who may be a good fit
• Share it with networks or communities of practice you’re part of or have facilitated
• Email Michelle privately (msnitgen@msu.edu) with suggestions for additional contacts

Participation in the study involves:

• Completing a brief Qualtrics Information Form (~15 minutes)
• One to two Zoom interviews (60–90 minutes each)
• $50 Amazon e-gift card provided in appreciation of your valuable time and sharing

Your reflections can help deepen our collective understanding of CEP collaborative learning experiences and contribute to future recommendations for supporting and sustaining the field of service-learning and community engagement.

This research is independent of Michelle’s role within MSU’s Center for Community Engaged Learning and is supervised by MSU HALE faculty, Dr. Matthew Wawrzynski. The study has been reviewed and approved by the MSU Institutional Review Board; all responses will remain confidential.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to a study grounded in the spirit of our shared work and community.