Skip to main content

The Ethos Center

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR our summer DAYTON AND DOMESTIC IMMERSION Programs

May 13 - August 2 (12-week program)
Application Link (Google Form): https://forms.gle/zW4qHYKQorRTJH9k8 
Deadline to Apply: Friday, February 16
  • Must be a current UD engineering student who completed EGR 103  - many of the Dayton partner sites will take 1st year students
  • Attend orientation session from May 13 to May 16 (Dayton in-person, domestic online)
  • Attend a weekly 2 hour Ethos Center course (online, synchronous)
  • Work 35 hours per week with community partner on site
  • Present final work in a symposium during the last week of the immersion (July 29 - August 2)

Local, Domestic and International Immersion Opportunities

Ethos Dayton Immersions

Apply your engineering mindset and skill set to build value in the Dayton community for the common good! The Ethos Dayton Immersion program aims to encourage growth through experiential learning, creation of intentional community and partnership with local non-profit organizations and agencies. The semester-long placements require students to take time off from traditional academic study in order to participate in community-engaged learning projects with non-profit organizations throughout the city of Dayton and surrounding areas. The goal of local immersions is to expand the world view of participants and empower them through experience and knowledge to become lifelong advocates for social change. 

You do not attend classes during your local immersion except for the weekly mini-course, which accompanies the experience. 

Program Details

  • Dates: Dayton Immersions are offered fall, spring and summer semesters.
  • Immersion opportunities are located throughout Greater Dayton, including these organizations:
    • Mission of Mary Cooperative
    • Five Rivers Metroparks
    • Co-op Dayton
    • The Westside Makerspace
    • United Rehabilitation Services
    • Homefull
    • Community Solutions/Agraria
  • Students typically live on campus and a stipend will be provided to cover living expenses (to be determined)
  • Eligibility: Graduate and undergraduate students from all engineering majors are eligible to participate.

Ethos Domestic Immersions

The Ethos Domestic Immersion program provides students with an opportunity to use their skills for humanitarian purposes by making a difference in the lives of the people and environment within the United States.

Program Details

  • Dates: Domestic Immersions are offered fall, spring and summer semesters.
  • Locations: 
    • The DOME, Springfield, Ohio
    • Aprovecho, Cottage Grove, Oregon
    • Burn Design Lab, Vashon, Washington
    • Rich Earth Institute, Brattleboro, Vermont
    • Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, Georgetown, South Carolina
    • Bethlehem Farm, Alderson, West Virginia
    • The HUB, West Liberty, Ohio
  • Housing: Arranged by host near area of work and the Ethos Center covers the cost.
  • A stipend will be provided for living expenses depending on the placement site. 
  • Eligibility: Graduate and undergraduate students from all engineering majors are eligible to participate.
  • Projects: Range from solar cook stoves, alternative building techniques, sustainable living, clean water systems and environmental stability, building assistive technology, and more!

See the video below highlighting our work with one of our domestic partners, the DOME.

Ethos International Immersions 

Ethos International Immersions, offered during the summer semester, are transformational experiences that allow students to see the world in a new light. Students from all majors can participate in a technical immersion in a developing country. Travel groups typically consist of 2-3 students who work on appropriate regional projects. 

Program Details

  • Dates: Summer semester
  • Location: Our partners are located in Central America, South America, India and Africa
  • Environment: This depends on project and location. In the past, students were placed in cities and very rural environments (no running water, no electricity from grid).
  • Housing: In most of our locations, students live with a host family. Otherwise, accommodations are made for housing in or near the area of work. 
  • Project: Projects are subject to the need of the location. Projects have included helping to build sustainable farms, clean water systems, road and building infrastructure, construction of solar refrigerators to preserve vaccines, solar powered ovens, design assistance for human waste treatment processes, and solar powered aquaponics systems.
  • Eligibility: Students from all majors are eligible to participate. However, students must at least be in their sophomore year to be accepted. We recommend that interested first-year students participate in an international breakout or a Dayton or Domestic Immersion prior to applying for a semester-long international immersion.  
  • Other information: Students are required to take EGR 330 or EGR 430 the semester prior to their trip to prepare culturally, technically and personally. Ethos and in-country hosts provide the projects.  

 Questions?  Email us at Ethos@udayton.edu 

CONTACT

The Ethos Center, Kelly Bohrer, Executive Director

Kettering Laboratories
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 0212
937-229-2306
Email