University of North Texas 
Empowering Communities Through Engagement & Leadership
The Civic Engagement Learning Lab (CELL) at the Department of Public Administration is dedicated to fostering public engagement and leadership. Our mission is to empower individuals to contribute to the public good through hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities, and collaborative governance. We emphasize experiential learning, professional growth, and impactful research.
Our Key Priorities
- Experiential Learning: Develop and manage service-learning programs and internships that provide practical, real-world experience.
- Professional Development: Partner with local nonprofits and government entities to enhance leadership skills and build organizational capacity.
- Applied Research: Conduct research that advances community well-being and supports the work of nonprofits and local governments.
Through these initiatives, CELL aims to create meaningful opportunities for learning and development while making a positive impact on society.
Experiential Learning
Internships
Our internship programs provide hands-on experience for students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Nonprofit Leadership Studies programs. These internships are crucial for:
- Gaining practical skills
- Building community relationships
- and Preparing for future careers.
Nonprofit Leadership students complete 120 hours, while MPA students with less career experience complete 440 hours. We are always seeking new internship hosts in the public and nonprofit sectors.
For opportunities or inquiries, please contact Jessica Woods, CELL Program Specialist and Internship Coordinator.
Service Learning
Service learning projects allow students to work on real-world challenges for local organizations under faculty supervision. Projects typically last a semester and address needs such as grant proposals, volunteer recruitment, and capacity building. Past partners include CASA of Denton County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the City of Denison.
We are eager to form new partnerships—contact Jessica Woods or complete this form to get involved.
Professional Development
Executive Research & Professional Development Training Program
Our training program is designed to facilitate dialogue and exchange ideas between UNT faculty and international scholars in the public and nonprofit sectors. We offer workshops, research colloquia, and networking opportunities, supporting both professional growth and collaborative research. CELL provides logistic support through UNT International Affairs on DS-2019.
Hosting International and Professional Visiting Scholars
CELL welcomes international and professional visiting scholars for stays of up to 2 years and accepts a limited number of applications each year. To apply, prospective scholars must be sponsored by a faculty member from the Department of Public Administration.
Applying
Before submitting your application, please contact a faculty member to discuss your research interests. Applications should include the following:
- Cover Letter
- Anticipated Arrival and Departure Dates (months/year)
- Description of Research Objectives and Research Plan
- Curriculum Vitae
For more information or to begin the application process, please reach out to us at CELL@unt.edu.
Track 1: Professional Visiting Scholars
CELL offers a dynamic program tailored for executives from public and nonprofit agencies seeking advanced professional development and research opportunities. As a Professional Visiting Scholar, you will:
- Engage in a collaborative research environment with a designated host faculty member.
- Benefit from dedicated research space and access to extensive resources at UNT.
- Participate in interdisciplinary, research-based workshops designed by faculty and staff with a strong applied research background. These workshops, held during the summer, cover new areas of expertise in public sector management and nonprofit leadership.
- Have the option to audit graduate courses with instructor permission.
- Experience enhanced learning through government facility tours, meetings with municipal leaders, and local community visits.
Track 2: International Visiting Scholars
CELL also welcomes International Visiting Scholars, typically faculty and researchers from universities or research institutions, to collaborate on diverse research topics. As an International Visiting Scholar, you will:
- Have a dedicated space for collaborative research and access to UNT's library resources.
- Interact with faculty and researchers, attend workshops, and present your work at the Chester A. Newland PhD Colloquium Series.
- Conduct research on various topics including:
- Citizen Participation Mechanisms in Public Policy Processes
- Citizen Engagement in Disaster Preparation and Emergency Administration
- Public Program Innovation and Finance
- Public-Nonprofit Collaboration and Collaborative Governance
- Local Government Leadership and Management
- Research Design, including Survey Development and Data Analysis
Past Professional Visiting Scholars:
- Re-Ryong Jung, Director of Disaster Safety R&D Division, Ministry of Interior and Safety (2019-2020)
- Jun-Sik Lee, Director of Big-data Analysis Division, National Computing and Information Service, Ministry of the Interior (2017-2018)
- Hyung-Suk Lee, Director of Safety Services Coordination Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Security (2016-2017)
- Gwang Yong Kim, Director of Safety Policy Division, Ministry of Security and Public Administration (2015-2016)
Testimonies from Past Scholars:
"The executive training program at CELL refreshed my leadership skills and introduced new approaches to social services and program innovation. It was an invaluable experience."
"The CELL program was a crucial catalyst in my local government career, providing essential administrative insights and skills. The experience has been profoundly rewarding."
Enhance Your Expertise at the Department of Public Administration
CELL is part of the Department of Public Administration (PADM), housed within the College of Health and Public Service. The Master in Public Administration (MPA) program at PADM is nationally ranked, offering:
- #11 in the Nation for Local Government Management Specialty
- #9 in the Nation for Homeland Security and Emergency Management Specialty
The MPA program’s mission is to prepare leaders dedicated to advancing ethical, accountable, and inclusive governance. Graduates serve diverse local and global communities with the skills and knowledge needed for professional public service.
As a visiting scholar, you will have the opportunity to engage with leading researchers and top faculty at PADM, forming connections that will enhance your career. You’ll also benefit from being part of the vibrant research community at the University of North Texas, ranked among the nation's top-tier research universities.
City of Denton – “a small-city feel pairs with big-city amenities”
Denton is located on the northern tip of the “golden triangle” – Dallas-Denton-Fort Worth. Downtown Denton has a gorgeous courthouse square. The City is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
Denton is close to major airports and airlines Hubs, i.e., 25 miles from DFW International Airport, 35 miles from Dallas Love Field, and 20 miles north of Alliance Airport. The Denton County Transportation Authority has bus and rail services.
The City is internationally known for its Jazz annual festival in April and May. The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival provides world class entertainment and art in the North Texas Metroplex area.
The Metroplex
Arts and Culture: There are plenty to do in the Metroplex, i.e., from walking tours to performing arts, art museums, and more. You can visit the Dallas Art Districts-- the largest urban cultural district in the country; the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth Cultural District---excellent art collection, and venues and from fine dining to Texas BBQ and art museums, games and live music and Cowboy Dance Halls and the iconic Stockyards—where you can experience distinctly cowboy feel--“Cowtown.”
Recreation and Outdoor Adventures: The Metroplex has outdoor adventures for you and your family to enjoy nature. The Katy Trail provides a popular jogging, walking and cycling hotspot; the Cedar Ridge Preserve has 600 acres of preserved wilderness, and you can also explore a 5.2-acre, Klyde Warren Park with its food trucks and fitness classes, and a dog park.
Nightlife: The Metroplex also has a great night life, cool bars, and excellent live music in Deep Ellum to the Bishop Art District for its boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and galleries.
Spectator Sports: The Metroplex has a team in the four major professional sports leagues: The Dallas Cowboys (American football), The Texas Rangers (baseball), The Dallas Mavericks (basketball), and The Dallas Stars (ice hockey). The Metroplex also has Major League Soccer team FC Dallas (Frisco) and the Dallas Wings (Arlington). Two NASCAR Cup Series races are hosted annually at Texas Motor Speedway, which is just a few miles from the City of Denton.
Research at the Civic Engagement Learning Lab
The Civic Engagement Learning Lab (CELL) at UNT drives impactful research that benefits our faculty, students, and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) community. Through sponsored research, CELL collaborates with nonprofits and local governments to enhance communities both in North Texas and globally. We also offer training and technical assistance to strengthen public engagement in policy-making and governance.
Recent Initiatives
City of Allen Collaboration
CELL partnered with the City of Allen to explore ways to improve service efficiency
and utility for residents by enhancing coordination among local social service nonprofits.
By conducting interviews and analyzing community networks and data, CELL researchers
provided actionable recommendations for boosting collaboration between the city and
its nonprofit partners.
"This report will be very helpful as we continue discussing how the City can make a positive impact on improving the accessibility of social services in the community. We appreciate the professionalism and responsiveness of your team and enjoyed working with you on this project."