New Graduate Fellowship to Nurture ‘Dynamic, Adaptive’ Leaders

Beginning in Fall 2023, Emerson College is launching the Transformational Leaders Graduate Fellowship, a one-year fellowship designed to develop future leaders in all fields of communications and the arts, and in society at-large.

“At Emerson College, we believe passionately in the transformative power of narrative, in the unifying power of communication, and in the liberating power of language itself,” said Kimberly McLarin, Interim Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. “Our vision, in Graduate Studies in general, and with this fellowship in particular, is to nurture a new generation of dynamic and adaptive leaders who will use what they learn here not only to transform their chosen fields, but also to build a more just and equitable society.”

The first cohort of six fellows will be selected in the 2022-2023 academic year, and will receive the following benefits: 

Leadership Development:

Fellows will participate in a short-term, self-paced leadership development course overseen by the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, who will serve as cohort advisor. Fellows will meet monthly with the dean for discussion, scheduled learning experiences, and mentorship, and will take an active part in the life of the College, attending readings, panels, and other scheduled events.

Fellows will attend at least one workshop offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CITL) and attend at least one meeting of the Graduate Student Association. Fellows will also be paired with a professional mentor in their chosen field with whom they will meet regularly. 

Scholarship:

In addition to leadership development, participation, and mentoring opportunities, students receive a financial scholarship that includes a $5,000 stipend ($2,500 each semester they are enrolled as a Fellow), and a minimum $12,000 scholarship, applied toward tuition.

Symposium:

The fellowship year will culminate in a daylong Leadership Symposium, developed and hosted by the fellows. This symposium will feature a keynote speaker along with interactive workshops presented by the fellows. The symposium will be open to all members of the Emerson community. 

“Our new Transformational Leadership Fellowship program closely aligns with Emerson’s values of equity and inclusion,” said Leanda Miranda, Director of Graduate Admission. “The program will help support the development of strong leaders who will not only help to transform the graduate student experience at Emerson, but who will have the tools they need to carry that work with them as they launch their careers.”

Fellows must be entering their first semester of graduate school during the Fall term at Emerson College. Students must be enrolled in an eligible on-campus program, as the program involves in-person panels, meet & greets, social gatherings, and a variety of events with on-campus partners. Eligible Programs Include: Communication Disorders (MS – On-Campus), Creative Writing (MFA), Film and Media Art (MFA), Journalism (MA – Hybrid), Public Relations (MA), Media Design (MA), Political Communication (MA), Publishing and Writing (MA), Sports Communication (MA), Strategic Marketing Communication (MA), Theatre Education & Applied Theatre (MA/MFA).

Students must apply to both the Fellowship program and their graduate program by the priority deadline.  

For more information on eligibility requirements and Fellowship expectations and responsibilities, visit the Transformational Leaders Graduate Fellowship webpage.