PCS Cohort Group Photo
Presidential Citizen Scholars Program

Apply Now to be a Presidential Citizen Scholar

Presidential Citizen Scholars Program

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PCS Overview

The Presidential Citizen Scholars (PCS) Program prepares students to be community leaders through civic scholarship and community action. Over three semesters, Scholars meet with members of the community to identify and research an issue that will culminate in a PCS Capstone Project. Scholars are supported through Salisbury University’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE) and the Office of the President. SU’s highest purpose is "to empower students with knowledge, skills, and core values that contribute to lifelong learning and active citizenship in a democratic society.” This elite program builds on SU’s highest purpose by offering students of all majors and disciplines the opportunity to engage in the life of the community, develop habits of democratic citizenship, and become experienced civic leaders.

Meet Our Presidential Citizen Scholars

  • 54 ••••••••
    Scholars since 2019
  • 15 ••••••••
    Projects since 2019
  • $56K ••••••••
    Education award money earned through service since 2019
View Current & Past PCS Projects Apply Now to be a Presidential Citizen Scholar History of the PCS Program
  • pcs students pose as a group in front of a collection of items

    Combating the Youth Homeless Crisis Through Community Action

    Juan Adames (CHHS), Ryan Devine (Fulton & Honors), Nero Schrader (Perdue), and Jaydan Fogo (Perdue) hosted a job readiness event and bag drive for LGBTQ+ homeless youth with the Wicomico Public Library and other relevant nonprofits and community partners. Their work highlighted the importance of establishing civic partnership with local nonprofits, community members, and Salisbury University’s campus to engage an underserved and high risk population.

    Combating the Youth Homeless Crisis Through Community Action Whiteapaper (PDF)

  • Outside view of bioremediation building

    Bioremediation of Urban Runoff at BISM

    Emma Tarquinio (CHHS & Honors), Charles Laird (Seidel), and Bryce Machalek (Henson & Honors) collaborated with the City of Salisbury, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Lower Shore Land Trust, and Blind Industries & Services of Maryland (BISM) to bioremediate and beautify roughly 16,000 square feet of impervious surface, in-fill with soil, seed with grass, plant eight native white oak trees, and install a rain barrel system for sustainable watering. The Scholars secured a $4,998 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a grant from Lower Shore Land Trust, and a grant from PACE to complete this work.

    Bioremediation of Urban Runoff at BISM Whiteapaper (PDF)

  • Accessible Public Restroom in Downtown Salisbury

    Accessible Public Restroom in Downtown Salisbury

    Elizabeth Wash (Henson & Honors), River Myer (Fulton, Seidel, & Honors), and Hayden Davis (Henson) conducted a community survey to research the public support for a public, ADA-accessible restroom in Downtown Salisbury. They are also the first PCS Scholars to have received the distinction having their Presidential Citizen Scholars capstone IRB-approved research published in Salisbury University’s Laridae Undergraduate Research Journal.

    Accessible Public Restroom in Downtown Salisbury Whiteapaper (PDF)