Community Action (CA) is a multi-day, immersive orientation program for the first-year class sponsored by the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. CA seeks to promote an ethic of meaningful service among undergraduates, foster productive collaboration between the University and surrounding communities, and engage all participants in both academic and interpersonal dialogue.
CA fosters a positive and supportive environment where incoming students have the opportunity to:
- Connect with other students and establish friendships
- Discover new places, people, and topics
- Act through meaningful service and conversations
- Have fun!
Strong student leadership is a core element of the CA program and is vital in helping our incoming students have a positive and meaningful service experience during their week.
CA Leader Position
During CA, the first-year students are guided and mentored by their CA Leaders, who are well-trained and enthusiastic current students. CA Leaders have the opportunity to positively shape the experience of incoming first-year students by facilitating community building activities, serving as liaisons with community partners and projects, and carrying out the daily schedule in order to ensure the safety and inclusion of all participants. In addition, during CA and beyond, CA Leaders provide support, advice, and guidance to the participants to help them transition into Princeton and the community. Each CA group is comprised of 10-13 first-year students and 2 CA Leaders.
CA Leader Application & Interview Important Dates
Community Action uses rolling deadlines throughout the spring semester. The earlier you apply, the earlier you are able to interview and receive a decision on your application. CA may add additional deadlines based on program needs.
CA 2025 Important Program Dates
- Spring Leadership Team Meeting: Early June (likely virtual, evening event).
- CA Leader Campus Move-in: Wednesday, August 20
- Fall CA Leadership Team Meeting & Training Kick-off: Thursday, August 21
- Orientation Central Training, CA Leadership Team Training & Prep: Thursday, August 21 - Monday, August 25
- CA First-Year Check-in & Kick-off Event: Tuesday, August 26
- CA Program Days: Wednesday, August 27 - Saturday, August 30
- CA Program Debriefs (scheduled by your CA Fellow): Monday - Friday, September 1 - 5
Qualifications
- Member of Princeton’s Class of 2026, 2027, 2028
- Must be in good standing with the University and enrolled in classes during the Fall 2025 term
- Available for and attend all training, meeting, and program dates listed above
Interested students should complete this application by March 28, 2025 for priority consideration. Applicants will be invited to take part in a CA leader group process March 28, April 4 or April 11.
NOTE: Community Action uses multiple deadlines to ensure that the needs of the program are appropriately met. It also allows students the opportunity to thoughtfully apply ensuring that they can meet all of the required program dates. Additional deadlines may be added at the discretion of the CA Program Staff.
If you have any questions about the application or process, please contact Alex Tubridy, CA Program Coordinator at tubridy@princeton.edu.