Community Work-Study Program

About the CWS Program

The SHSU Community Work-Study (CWS) program is funded through the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, administered by the SHSU Office of Financial Aid, and managed by the SHSU Center for Community Engagement (CCE). This federal program provides students with financial need the opportunity to earn their federal aid award through part-time placements to help meet their educational costs.  

The purpose of the CWS program is to actively engage SHSU students and community organizations in a mutually beneficial relationship. Through this program, partner organizations provide college students with the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge while developing valuable workforce skills and dispositions. This program is not intended to function as a part-time job; it is a way for students to earn their financial aid award while giving back to the community. Partner organizations receive support to assist with accomplishing their missions in service of the community. 

Community Work-Study placements are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve problems related to their needs.  

Placements can include opportunities in fields such as healthcare, childcare, literacy training, education, social services, public safety, crime prevention and control, recreation, rural development, community improvement, and emergency preparedness and response.  

For Students

You can gain career-relevant skills, knowledge, and experience through a Community Work-Study placement. Relevant work experiences can be a meaningful part of your educational journey. Learn about career opportunities and develop professional relationships when you apply textbook knowledge to real-world problems through Community Work-Study.

Employers hiring college graduates look for applicants who have relevant work experience—start building your professional resume now as a student! 

Community Work-Study offers you the opportunity to: 

• Earn your Work-Study award through a meaningful placement with a community partner organization including nonprofits, government agencies and school districts. 
• Work in a position related to your career field to add to your resume 
• Become familiar with the real-world work environment 
• Develop career readiness competencies  

Community Work-Study Placement Process: 

• Apply through the Community Work-Study job posting (For CCE Media Assistants, Apply Here)
  
• Identify preferred placement opportunities 
• Interview with CCE 

Expectations: 

• Be a full-time, degree-seeking student and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. 
• Commit to work with the partner organization for a minimum of one semester. 
• Work between 10 and 19 hours per week. 
• Be reliable, professional, and willing to learn. 
• Participate in professional development opportunities

Potential Placements

• The Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center

  The Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center was designed to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of one of Texas' greatest educators, Samuel Walker Houston. Mr. Houston established the first Training School for formerly enslaved people of color in 1906. For years, the Training School was the only school of its kind for African Americans in East Texas, and the first permanent classroom building opened in 1914. The Samuel Walker Houston Museum and Cultural Center is pleased to provide a permanent repository for artifacts, historical memorabilia, photographs, and official documents relating to the life of the school's founder, as well as post-slavery historical information on the African American citizens of Huntsville and Walker County, Texas. A secondary focus is to provide a facility for cultural, educational, and recreational activities for the enrichment of residents of the broader community. For more information, click here.

• SAAFE House

  SAAFE House provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services empowering survivors to seek new beginnings and rebuild lives free from the effects of violence. We provide services to all victims of family and sexual violence and assist clients in healing with former and current victimizations alike. While our shelters are specifically for women and their children, we provide services for men, women, and children. SAAFE House offers services in Walker, Trinity, San Jacinto, and Polk counties. For more information, click here.

• American Democracy Project

  The American Democracy Project (ADP) is a project jointly sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the New York Times. SHSU is a participating institution in the American Democracy Project (ADP), a national initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The goal of the ADP Committee is to produce graduates who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences they need to be informed, engaged members of their communities. A variety of activities are sponsored by ADP including Deliberative Dialogues, Walk to the Polls, and Constitution Day. The ADP Student Assistant(s) will support the American Democracy Project (ADP), as part of the Center for Community Engagement (CCE), in planning and leading civic engagement work at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). This work will predominantly include deliberative dialogues and non-partisan voter engagement at SHSU. For more information, click here.

• Carolina Creek Christian Camp

  Carolina Creek provides a variety of sports, arts and outdoor adventure in an exciting environment where youth and adults can experience and know the love of Jesus. The Carolina Creek vision is to meet a need in the Greater Houston area for residential summer youth camping, and offer a non-summer retreat facility for churches, youth organizations, civic organizations, and family reunions. For more information, click here.

• Good Shepherd Mission

  The Good Shepherd Mission provides temporary basic needs to help individuals and families overcome difficult circumstances. We are a faith-based ministry that is invested in empowering people to become resilient, independent, and live in harmony with others. We work with other local human services organizations and share resources as available. Although we are a faith-based ministry, we serve people from all walks of life without discrimination to race, creed, or country of origin. The Good Shepherd Mission offers resources for basic human needs and has outlets for families and individuals who wish to be involved in organized religious activities or fellowship. Our staff works diligently to ensure that consumers and lodgers of Good Shepherd Mission are safe from harassment and discrimination. We strive to be a safe environment and trusted resource in our community. For more information, click here.

• Faith Lutheran School

  ​Our mission is to provide excellence in education while sharing God's love with our students and their families. We feel the development of a child’s self-esteem and confidence is important in building positive relationships with others. We see each child as a unique individual by respecting and responding to their individual needs. Although specific learning experiences are planned each day, we leave room for creative learning which is so important for young children. Faith Lutheran School's preschool and elementary program is nationally accredited through National Lutheran School Accreditation. Faith Lutheran's preschool program begins as early as age six weeks and continues through pre-kindergarten. Faith Lutheran School's elementary program includes grades Kindergarten through 4th grade. Classes begin each day at 8:00 and dismiss at 3:30. For more information, click here.

• Boys & Girls Club of Walker County

  Boys & Girls Club of Walker County (BGCWC) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit child development organization operating in Huntsville, Texas for the benefit of youth throughout Walker County. Boys & Girls Clubs build character through everyday leadership and guidance in behavior and attitude. Most importantly, the Boys & Girls Club shows youngsters that someone cares and wants them to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Boys & Girls Club of Walker County is a safe haven for more than 500 members. In addition, BGCWC offers free adult education classes including English as a Second Language and Civics, GED preparation, Certified Nursing Assistant training, and Certified Phlebotomy Technician training. For more information, click here.

• Rise Counseling & Wellness

  Rise Counseling & Wellness believes that quality mental health therapy should be affordable and available to persons in all communities. We partner with community agencies to deliver mental health services to people of all ages and backgrounds. We offer counseling services in the school setting and online to eliminate the barrier of transportation. Our therapists have training and knowledge in providing counseling for: substance use, divorce, phobias, eating disorders, and phase of life issues. For more information, click here.

For Partner Organizations

The CCE is the primary contact for the CWS program. Working directly with partner organizations, the CCE will recruit, hire, and manage community work study students at no cost to your organization. We believe this hands-on, direct service will provide a seamless and meaningful experience for both our partner organizations and the students. To learn more about the program and how to host student placements, please call 936-294-4559.