Immersion Coordinator 24-25
SUMMARY
In partnership with local and global communities, the Moreau Center for Service and Justice engages critical human and environmental concerns through active learning, mutually beneficial service, and experience-based leadership development rooted in Catholic social teaching. Our work is possible through the commitment of a team of about 30 student leaders who inspire and lead their peers in various programs. All Moreau Center student leaders commit to the Moreau Center’s core commitments of Social Justice, Solidarity, Community and Reflection.
Social Justice Immersions engage groups of students during the academic breaks to explore social justice concerns and reflect on ways they can contribute to positive change. Immersion coordinators are responsible for working with a co-coordinator and advisor to develop and facilitate all aspects of an immersion experience for a group of 6 – 14 UP peers.
BENEFITS
- Modest stipend distributed evenly during the academic year
- Professional and personal formation through Moreau Center for Service and Justice advisement
- Immersion participant fee paid by the Moreau Center for Service and Justice
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated interest in and commitment to community engagement, service, and social justice
- Demonstrated interest in the issues of justice related to the immersion they are coordinating
- Willingness to facilitate critical reflection grounded in Catholic social teaching
- Coordinator does not need to be Catholic, but should be comfortable discussing spirituality
- Ability to share leadership with peers, faculty and staff
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recruit and select a diverse group of participants
- Plan and implement Social Justice Immersion
- Support participants in preparation, engagement, reflection and follow up for the immersion
- Actively learn about social justice issues connected to the immersion
- Communicate consistently and clearly with immersion participants, community organizations and immersion leadership team
- Facilitate fundraising activities to meet fundraising goals
- Handle various administrative tasks to support immersion
- Willingness to embrace simple living (food and accommodation) during immersion experience
- Ability to model positive, full engagement during long days of immersion
- Coordinate a minimum of one follow-up event after the immersion
TIME COMMITMENT
- Most leaders commit to the full academic year, to include training and follow-up activities. (Fall and Winter break immersions require less time commitment.)
- About 12-25 hrs/month in preparation, though some months/weeks will require more time.
- Available for Immersion Preparation Seminars and other group meetings, typically Fridays at 4pm.
- Available for the actual immersion experience (fall, winter, spring, or summer break).
Social Justice Immersions for 2024-25 and their focus
Note: All immersions are subject to change due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and health and safety concerns.
Fall Break (6 days of the break)
- Rural Immersion (~$500 stipend) - Issues related to agriculture, immigration and Indigenous rights in the Yakama Valley, Washington
Winter Break (last 4 days before start of spring semester)
- Urban Immersion (~$500 stipend) –Issues related to homelessness/houselessness in Portland
Spring Break (6-7 days of the break)
- Border Immersion (~$700 stipend) – Immigration and how it affects communities near the US/Mexico border
- Environmental Justice Immersion (~$700 stipend) – Intersectional issues of environmental justice in the Portland metro and Columbia River Gorge areas
Summer Break (6-7 days in May following end of the semester)
- North Portland Civil Rights Immersion (~$700 stipend) – Gentrification and racial (in)justice in Portland
Moreau Center Social Justice immersions are open to all students. If you have a disability, health concern, special dietary needs, or other need, please contact us (moreaucenter@up.edu) to determine what reasonable accommodations can be made to facilitate leadership and participation.
