Leadership Fellows Scholarship
The Stephens College Leadership Fellows Program is a selective, scholarship-supported program for students who are ready to lead, serve, and make an impact from day one. As a Leadership Fellow, you’ll join a close-knit community of driven students who live, learn, and grow together while building the skills, confidence, and connections that employers and graduate schools value most.
Rooted in Stephens’ long tradition of empowering women, this program blends leadership development, career readiness, civic engagement, and professional networking into one transformative undergraduate experience. You won’t just learn about leadership. You’ll practice it.
Why Become a Leadership Fellow?
As a Fellow, you will:
- Build confidence and discover your leadership style
- Live in a leadership-focused living-learning community
- Connect with inspiring alumni and professionals
- Lead real projects that make a difference
- Gain hands-on experience for your résumé
- Graduate with a Leadership Certificate or transcript distinction
About the Scholarship
Scholarship Award: $2,000–$5,000 annually
Cohort Size: 10–12 students in the pilot year
Eligibility:
- First-time, first-year students
- Minimum 3.25 GPA (must be maintained)
- Active participation in leadership activities each semester
Scholarship is additive to other merit or need-based aid (up to tuition and fees).
Application requirements
Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
Step 1: Submit Your Stephens College Admissions Application
Stephens College Admission Application (must be submitted or in progress)
Step 2: Apply for Leadership Scholarship
To apply for the scholarship, please email the following to admissions@stephens.edu:
- Résumé (including leadership roles, qualifications, awards)
- Leadership Essay (Instructions Below):
- Think about a moment when you worked to make something better—whether for your school, your family, your community, a team, or a cause you care about. In 600–900 words, tell the story of this experience and explain how you demonstrated leadership. Consider how you identified a need, brought people together, navigated challenges, or made decisions that reflected your values.
- Finally, reflect on your leadership potential: What kind of difference do you hope to make in the future? How do your experiences so far prepare you to contribute to a campus community, pursue your goals, and lead with purpose?
- Leadership-focused letter of recommendation from an advisor, teacher, or mentor
- Recommendation letters must be submitted directly by the recommender to admissions@stephens.edu. Letters sent by applicants will not be accepted.
Program structure
Year 1: Live, Learn & Lead Together
Leadership Living-Learning Community | Prunty Hall
Your first year as a Leadership Fellow begins with living in a dedicated leadership community. This isn’t just housing—it’s an experience. You’ll live alongside students who share your drive to grow, serve, and lead.
In this supportive environment, you’ll:
- Discover your strengths and leadership style
- Build your voice and presence
- Learn how to lead with integrity and courage
- Connect with leaders from industries like fashion, film, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and public service
Leadership at Stephens isn’t about titles—it’s about daily action, purpose, and impact.
Signature First-Year Experiences
- Early Move-In & Fall Leadership Retreat
- Small Group Mentorship with an alum mentor and RA
- Leadership Workshop Series (communication, ethics, teamwork, conflict resolution)
- Community Service Project in Columbia
- Exclusive Dinners & Leadership Panels
- Common Read/Film & Reflection Discussions
Year 2-4: Advanced Leadership & Real-World Impact
As an upper-class Fellow, you’ll take your leadership to the next level through:
- Mentoring new Fellows
- Internships and career experiences
- Study abroad and conference participation
- Civic engagement and leadership projects
- Specially designated leadership courses
By graduation, you may earn a Leadership Certificate or transcript distinction—a powerful edge for careers or graduate school.
Mentorship, Networking & Support
- Community Partnerships for Service & Engagement
- Dedicated Resident Advisor for the Living-Learning Community
- Alumni Mentors assigned to small student groups
- Leadership Speaker Series
- Exclusive Networking Events & Dinners
At Stephens, we believe leadership is not about position—it’s about purpose, courage, and using your voice to create change. The Leadership Fellows Program reflects our deep commitment to empowering the next generation of women leaders to step forward with confidence, integrity, and compassion.
— President Shannon B. Lundeen