Fueling the pipeline of diverse employees and leaders in business
The Inclusive Leadership Fellows Program is designed to enhance the college’s efforts to build a more engaged and inclusive experience for students of diverse backgrounds. This includes People of Color, first-generation students, and those with demonstrated high financial need.
The goal is to fuel the pipeline of diverse employees and leaders in business, while also strengthening belonging in our community and academic programs, as well as better preparing students to work successfully in the increasingly diverse workplaces in the U.S. and abroad.
rachel.kim@unh.edu
Luciana Echazu
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education
Faculty Director
luciana.echazu@unh.edu
- Cohort Experience: The program supports six cohorts of about 10 Inclusive Leadership Fellows beginning in academic year 2022-23. The cohort experience is designed to foster collaborative learning, an enhanced support network, expanded mentoring and engagement opportunities, and a stronger experience of inclusion and belonging within the college. The cohort will:
- have a dedicated academic advisor, expanded access to mentors, alumni, and university-wide opportunities
- meet and engage in dedicated programming on a monthly basis
- have at least one unique experience each year such as travelling to a major city to meet with alums and learn about a wide range of career opportunities
- attend a national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Conference
- take part in a leadership development program
- join an international January term course or design and implement a service-learning opportunity with underserved communities in New Hampshire
- Scholarship: $5,000 per year for three years; $15,000 total per student
- Learning and Advocacy: Through the monthly program discussions and a new course in our Business in Practice Program on enhancing DEI in organizations, fellows will develop a deeper understanding of DEI and how it impacts organizational behavior, learn how to manage and advance DEI strategically in organizations, and develop the knowledge and skills to navigate and build their careers successfully in their organizations as diverse employees. Fellows also will be able to work with others contributing to our DEI Initiative within Paul College to build the college as a more diverse and inclusive organization. Seniors will design and work together on a capstone project that will strengthen our DEI Initiatives.
- Mentorship: Fellows will be matched with mentors though out their time in the program. The mentors will provide critical support and guidance to fellows to maximize opportunities at Paul College and position themselves for meaningful careers after college. As juniors and seniors, fellows will serve as peer mentors for students in the first year of the program.
- Internship and Job Preparedness: Career and Professional Success advisors will be assigned to each Fellow based on their career interests to ensure easy access to career advice and planning. Fellows will also be encouraged to apply for Internship Opportunity Funds that will support them if they secure high quality internships away from home and in expensive metropolitan areas.
Second-semester first-year Paul College students are eligible. To remain in the Inclusive Leadership Fellows Program, students must be in good academic standing while in Paul College, as well as active, sustained participation in program activities.
Nominations/Application:
Fellows will be selected as rising sophomores through a nomination/application process during the spring of their freshman year. Students can be nominated by their FIRE peer advisers, faculty, staff, academic advisors, and other members of the Paul College community. Key criteria for selection will be merit, financial need, and demonstrated interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Priority will be given to students who have participated in the CONNECT program during their freshman year. Once nominated, students will fill out an application.
Timeline & Deadlines:
February - Recruitment and nominations
March 1 - Nomination deadline
March 31 - Application deadline
May - Welcome new Inclusive Leadership Fellows
Three Years of High-Impact Educational Practices
Preparing Them to LEAD
Sophomore
Knowledge Acquisition
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Bi-weekly meeting
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Guest speakers will introduce academic opportunities and extra- anc co-curricular opportunities
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Focus on team building with the cohort
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Group and alumni peer mentorship
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As cohorts are added, monthly meetings will all cohorts
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Spring semester: BiP course for Inclusive Leadership Fellows
JUNIOR
Professional Success
- Monthly meetings
- Focus on professional development, prepping for internships, collaborating with the Career and Professional Success (CaPS) office
- Site visits to companies, shadow days with employers
- Technical workshops on how to navigate
SENIOR
Knowledge Application
- Monthly meetings
- Preparing for the "real world"
- Workshops lead by alumni on topics like personal finance
- Negotiating job offers
- Senior celebration
Our first cohort of incredible young men helped us establish and design this program. They hope future cohorts continue to build a more engaged and inclusive experience for students of diverse backgrounds at the college.
