Southern Education Leadership Initiative Summer Fellowship

SELI fellows receive invaluable professional experience in an assigned school district, education agency, higher education institution, or nonprofit organization in the southern region of the United States. During this experiential learning opportunity, they explore strategies for improving education, addressing community needs, and putting theory into practice. Students are assigned summer placements that pair well with their experience, educational interests, career paths, and developmental needs. To date, more than 300 SELI fellows have worked in more than 120 nonprofit organizations, school districts, state agencies, and higher education institutions that provide advocacy, grant-making, policy analysis, research, community organizing, and direct service in education. 

*Applicants must be willing to relocate for the summer to their placement sites in the southern United States* 

As members of the Southern Education Leadership Initiative, fellows will receive: 

• Experience: The opportunity to work for eight weeks in an organization focused on equity and excellence in education, such as a policy institute, school district, community-based organization, or philanthropic institution. 

• Stipend: A living expense stipend of $5,000 for undergraduate and graduate students. Financial assistance is available if your summer workplan requires relocation.

 • Travel Expenses: Airfare/car mileage expenses associated with traveling between home, Orientation, and Closing meetings in Atlanta, and the summer placement site (assistance also provided by SEF in making travel arrangements).

 • Training: Fellows will participate in a three-day orientation, (May14-16, 2025) during which they learn about research in the field, the importance of educational equity, strategies for making change, and interact with SELI alumni and SEF staff. *Attendance in full is required

 • Fellowship Placement: (May 19 to July 11, 2025): Fellows will be supervised by seasoned leaders as they work on challenging research, education policy, and nonprofit program-related projects. *Full-time 40 hours a week, in-person attendance required 

• Opportunities to Share and Reflect on the Experience: During the SELI Closing meeting (July 16-18, 2025), fellows will come together to share lessons learned, reflect, and brainstorm on how to continue making change as part of a network of emerging leaders in the sector. *Attendance in full is required 

• Alumni Community: Upon successful completion of the summer fellowship, SELI fellows are welcomed into a robust community of over 300 SELI alumni.

Eligibility and Other Requirements: 

• Must be between 20 and 35 years old.

 • Must be currently enrolled in a four-year college or graduate program. 

• Must have completed 60 credit hours (the equivalent of junior status or above in an undergraduate program) or be currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, or professional program at a college or university. No minimum GPA is required. 

• All majors are accepted, but you must have a demonstrated interest in education equity and/or social justice.

 • Must have excellent interpersonal, writing, and critical thinking skills, with flexibility to respond well to diverse people, settings, and tasks. 

• Deadline for the submission of a complete application is February 3, 2025, at 5 PM ET.

 • Must only work on assigned projects from the placement site and SEF during the fellowship. Students do not design their projects for this experiential learning opportunity but are assigned projects by their placement site supervisor. 

• Must be willing to relocate to another city or town for the summer, and refrain from any coursework, test preparation, or other jobs or internships during the summer program. Fellows must attend in full the Orientation and Closing Meeting and be physically present at their placement site for office hours and for the duration of the program.