Given the Freedom Fellows program focus on understanding social/cultural dynamics and service to others, preference shall be given to students with a demonstrated academic, social, and personal commitment to those impacted by low-socioeconomic status or involvement in their school, community, or churches.

Program Mission

 The Freedom Fellows program prepares students to create a more humane and just world for the equal dignity of persons by reflecting on high standards of faith, leadership, and community service to create knowledgeable and principled students.

Freedom Fellow Formation

1. Habituation through Practice
2. Reflection on Personal Experiences
3. Engagement with Virtuous Exemplars
4. Dialogue that Increases Virtue Literacy
5. Awareness of Situational Variables
6. Moral Reminders
7. Friendships of Mutual Accountability

Program Objectives

• To create future leaders who are driven to accomplish their goals and provide opportunities for others.
• To convey that true human dignity is universal, inalienable, and intrinsic.
• To disseminate the Christian gospel in understanding that we must put our faith into action for the service of the common good.
• Participants will become efficient in public speaking and develop strong communication skills.

 Program Highlights/ Practical Requirements

• Freedom Summer Program: Fellows will stay for 5-6 weeks in the summer and mentor/tutor Atchison public school students; teaching English, math, socioemotional skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Distinguished Speakers: Fellows will meet and have personal interactions with guest speakers who exhibit exceptional leadership skills in their fields.
• Mentoring/Coaching: Every Freedom Fellow will be assigned an upperclass or alumni mentor to discuss College and workplace navigation.
• Campus Involvement: Fellows are expected to join a campus club or take on a leadership role on campus.
• Courses: Fellows will be required to take the following courses: GNST-1110 Learning Community Lab, GNST-3333 Raven Standard Seminar, and GNST-1700 Leadership: Vision & Values.
• Director meetings
• All-fellow weekly group meetings

Program Benefits

Students named Freedom Fellows attend Benedictine College with a full-tuition scholarship and enter college with a class of six additional fellows in their cohort. Fellows develop friendships with each other, making the integration process to collegiate life easier. Fellows benefit from access to the Program Directors, who act as mentors and are heavily invested in each Fellow’s success.

Having a built-in cohort and mentors will allow Fellows to transition more confidently. Fellows have greater access to high-impact practices like capstone projects, collaborative assignments, diverse learning, learning communities, service learning, and undergrad research, which help students persist at Benedictine.

With upperclassmen leading the way, Fellows in the program support and encourage each other as they overcome the challenges of collegiate life and work to integrate into Benedictine’s culture and community.

Development

• Internship opportunities
• Opportunities to mentor and be mentored
• Alumni engagement
• Attending conferences
• Development of public speaking and writing skills

Eligibility

• Minimum high school GPA of 3.0
• Notable community service work
• Involvement in high-school

Students who do not meet the academic requirements but have shown tremendous leadership qualities and community service resume, may be considered for acceptance into the program.

For more information, see the website:

Contact:
Tyler Shephard
Director of the Center for Student Support and Engagement
Executive Director of Freedom Fellows
tshephard@benedictine.edu