College Student Assistants (CSAs) are college students who assist teachers in implementing the Rouge Education Project by working in the classroom and/or at the Rouge River. This may include guiding students in conducting water quality tests, surveying the stream, collecting and identifying aquatic organisms, and helping students to calculate results and enter data on the Internet. This is a unique opportunity for college students of all interests and educational backgrounds.

All training is provided; no experience is necessary. CSAs must be able to attend one day-long training held on a Saturday; help lead one day-long training for teachers and students; have a schedule that allows them to help in the classroom or at the river during some school hours between late April and mid May; and be willing to travel to a school or site on the Rouge River in Wayne, Oakland, or eastern Washtenaw County. Some assistants contribute up to 30 hours working with students. In return, CSAs become role models, gain networking opportunities through Friends of the Rouge and sponsoring corporations, and help the Rouge River.