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Mentorship

Inclusive Fellowship Program

The Inclusive Fellowship Program (IFP) provides a unique, non-employment-based opportunity for all students to collaborate with faculty or staff on a semester-long project. This initiative is designed to enrich students’ academic experiences while they are enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students at the university. As a fellowship, the program emphasizes academic and professional growth, offering students meaningful learning experiences to support their development.

The Inclusive Fellowship Program (IFP) is designed for students who may face barriers in participating in traditional employment-based internships.

Program Structure

  • Project Collaboration: Fellows will be paired with a faculty or staff mentor based on their academic and professional interests. Together, they will co-design a project that applies academic knowledge to practical or research-based work.
  • Weekly Reflection Journals: Fellows are required to complete weekly journals reflecting on their progress, challenges, and lessons learned throughout the project.
  • Project Symposium: Fellows will present the outcomes of their project at a symposium alongside other participants, showcasing their learning, findings, and personal growth.
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Compensation

Fellows will receive a stipend as financial support for their participation in the program. Funding will be provided through a cost-share model, with the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) contributing half of the stipend amount and the hosting unit/department providing the remaining half.

Purpose of Stipends

Stipends are intended to assist students in dedicating time to academic enrichment activities and are not compensation for work. They may be used to help offset costs related to participation in the fellowship, including:

  • Housing
  • Food
  • Transportation
  • Other essential living expenses
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Eligibility

The program is open to all students, particularly those who may face barriers to traditional employment-based internships.

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Learning Outcomes

Through the Inclusive Fellowship Program, students will:

  • Develop professional skills.
  • Enhance critical thinking and reflection abilities.
  • Gain experience collaborating with faculty/staff on significant academic/professional projects.
  • Strengthen their ability to communicate personal growth and professional learning.

OAMI Support

The OAMI team will collaborate with the sponsoring unit to design fellowships that align with students’ educational and professional goals. Additionally, OAMI will liaise with the Office of Financial Aid to process student stipends.

OAMI staff will also coordinate with the IFP Advisory Committee to ensure that the fellowship meets students’ academic and professional needs and the Office of the General Counsel to ensure the fellowship agreements comply with university policies and procedures.

Participation Criteria

Participation decisions will be based on:

  • Alignment of the student’s academic and professional interests with project goals.
  • Availability of faculty/staff mentors to support proposed projects.
  • Barriers experienced in participating in employment based internships.

Time Commitment

The fellowship lasts approximately one academic semester. Time expectations will be collaboratively established between students and their mentors, considering the project scope and balancing other academic commitments.

Stipend and Financial Aid Considerations

Stipends are classified as financial aid and may impact a student’s overall financial aid package. Students are responsible for consulting with the Office of Financial Aid to understand any adjustments to their grants, scholarships, or loans.

Stipend awards are determined based on:

  • Available funding.
  • Project scope.
  • Student needs.

Undergraduate vs. Graduate Fellows

Undergraduate Fellows

  • Focus: Foundational skill development and application of theoretical knowledge.
  • Engagement: Active participation with hands-on mentorship.
  • Deliverables: Introductory to intermediate project outcomes.

Graduate Fellows

  • Focus: Advanced skill application and independent contributions.
  • Engagement: Greater autonomy with complex project tasks.
  • Deliverables: High-level outcomes such as research reports or analyses.