Become a Student Educator
What is the Illumination Project?
The Illumination Project is an exciting student leadership program based on the PCC Sylvania Campus. The program is designed to address issues of social justice including racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism utilizing interactive theater. Student Educators enter the program at the beginning of fall term and continue through the end of spring term.
What is the Illumination Project’s purpose?
The Illumination Project has a dual purpose. First, the project provides participating students with an opportunity to learn about social justice issues and interactive theater, and to develop skills as educators, actors, activists, and leaders. Student Educators then teach other students, staff, and faculty audiences how to confront stereotypes, negotiate conflict, and promote racial, gender, and economic equity.
What will you learn as a Student Educator?
The Illumination Project training is highly interactive and we will base our work on the life experiences of the students involved. Students in the program gain skills in writing, acting, facilitating, event coordination, activism, education, public relations, and community organizing. Students also build a close community of friends and colleagues.
Student Educators receive a total of 12 tuition-free credits – four free sociology credits each term (214 A, B, and C). These credits are college transferable and meet general education and cultural literacy requirements.
For International/Non-resident Students
Non-resident students receive a prorated discount on the credits rather than tuition free credits. PCC will cover the tuition cost that a resident student would pay. So if you are a non-resident student and usually would pay about $1,112 (plus fees) for a four credit class you would pay about $600 for the Illumination Project (non-resident tuition at about $1,112 minus resident tuition at about $532.)
Program commitments
To be eligible you need to commit to a process that includes:
Winter term
Class time is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-12:50pm on the Sylvania Campus. There will also be a mandatory retreat on the first weekend of winter term on the Sylvania Campus. The retreat schedule is as follows:
- Friday: 2-6pm
- Saturday: 9am-8:30pm
Spring term
Ten to twelve hours per week which includes class time, homework, committee work, rehearsals, and theater performances around Sylvania, other PCC campuses, and community organizations. Class continues to meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-12:50pm with additional class time on Fridays from 10am-12:50pm.
Requirements
During the current academic year, you will need:
- To be a PCC student in good standing.
- To have a 2.5 GPA or above. This may be waived with instructor approval.
- To meet standard prerequisites (WR/RD 115 and Math 20). These may be waived with instructor approval.
- To be enrolled at PCC with at least 2 credits per term besides the Illumination Project.
- During Winter and Spring terms, IP Student Educators may not take more than 13 credits in total.
- To have a flexible enough schedule to meet outside of class time.
We are also looking for the ability to:
- Follow through on commitments. This includes time commitments.
- Work collaboratively in a diverse group.
- You do not need any previous theater or social justice training!
How to apply
- Limited space is available in the program so we encourage you to start the application process early!
- Complete the online application – applications were due by December 13, 2024
- You will need to include your name, phone number, student ID #, and email address.
- Answer a few essay questions.
- Applicants with a few thoughtful sentences or a short paragraph to each question will be contacted for an interview.
- Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted via their PCC email address for scheduling.