Program Overview

Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science have partnered with fashion entrepreneur Kenneth Cole to offer a groundbreaking program that will help prepare students to make meaningful, sustainable change by developing practical approaches to challenges and opportunities faced by communities around the world.

Kenneth Cole Fellows will learn both theory and practice to become effective leaders in community-based organizations, local businesses, and not-for-profit entities.

The Kenneth Cole Community Engagement Program is facilitated by a collective of offices across campus including The Center for Career Education (CCE), Office of Civic Action and Engagement (OCAE), The Fu Foundation School of Engineering Office of the Dean and Columbia College Office of the Dean.

Program Features

This program is made up of four interlocking elements throughout the year:

• Academic programming includes courses in urban studies; political science; sociology; science, technology, and society; social entrepreneurship—all which directly address community building
• Academic year co-curricular programming includes featured guest speakers, workshops, and a required bi-weekly seminar series in the spring semester
• A summer internship that will immerse you in real world community-building projects
• A summer of living-and-learning residential experience that will reinforce and supplement the internship project

Program Benefits

The Kenneth Cole Community Engagement Program incorporates a unique combination of academic coursework and co-curricular programming. Students selected for the program, who will be called Kenneth Cole Fellows, will hone competencies in the core areas of vision, community partnering, community understanding, leadership, information sharing, initiative, conceptual mapping, and listening and understanding.

Learn More about Kenneth Cole and the Community Engagement Program

On Friday, October 28th 2011, the Kenneth Cole Community Engagement Forum will take place at Columbia! This day-long event, titled "“The Power of Community Engagement: Impact, Innovation, and the Individual”
will discuss important social issues of today by highlighting innovative approaches to solutions and the ways in which individuals can have an impact on their communities. If you are interested in learning more about and being a part of the Kenneth Cole Fellow Program, we encourage you to attend this event. Free tickets and a full program of events is available by clicking here. 

Kenneth Cole is chairman and chief creative officer of Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc., which designs, sources, and markets a broad range of footwear, handbags, apparel, and accessories. Mr. Cole is also the chairman of amfAR, the largest not-for-profit AIDS research foundation; a founding board member of HELP USA, the leading national provider of housing and jobs for the homeless; and a longstanding board member of the Sundance Institute. 

Apply Now

• Eligibility
• Application Process

Program Contacts

If you have questions about this program or about internships, please feel free to contact:

Todd Smith
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Office of Civic Action and Engagement
ts2488@columbia.edu

Devon Pryor
Assistant Director, Experiential Education & Student Enterprises
Center for Career Education
dp2592@columbia.edu