Presidential Fellowship

Mercer University SealSponsored by the Center for Leadership, Ethics, and Service and the Office of the President, the Presidential Fellowship provides a small cohort of exceptional students the opportunity to work and learn alongside Mercer University’s 19th President, Dr. Penny L. Elkins, and other institutional leaders.

Grounded in the “Listen, Lead, Serve” framework, the program pairs immersive leadership experience with structured reflection and service to the broader community. Fellows are asked to practice purpose-driven leadership, stewarding the university’s mission, people, and legacy.

By participating in this highly selective program, students will:

  • Attend and speak at high-level engagements with university leadership
  • Cultivate their unique strengths in character, purpose, and leadership
  • Host listening sessions for the broader student leadership community
  • Plan and lead a campus-wide capstone leadership summit
  • Build executive-level skills while contributing to strategic initiatives

Eligibility Criteria

The Presidential Fellowship is open to junior and senior undergraduate students and graduate students in any academic program across all campuses. Competitive applicants will show exceptional judgment, professionalism, and a desire to lead with purpose.

Applicants must:

  • Be a high-performing undergraduate (GPA 3.5+ preferred) or graduate student with demonstrated excellence in academics or leadership.
  • Possess exceptional professionalism, discretion, and interpersonal skills suitable for executive environments.
  • Demonstrate leadership capacity and a track record of initiative, teamwork, or project ownership.
  • Show alignment with Mercer’s mission and the ability to represent the university with distinction.
  • Demonstrate a strong reputation for integrity on campus. Candidates must have no active violations and will be vetted through Honor Council and Student Conduct

This is a high-access, sometimes high-ambiguity role. Fellows should be comfortable adapting to a leadership calendar that can shift on short notice and are expected to be responsive to email and communications from the program office in a timely manner.

Time Commitment

Approximately 3-5 hours/week

Fellowship Term

The fellowship runs the full academic year.

Compensation

$2000; undergraduates will also receive one course credit

Timeline

Application Deadline: September 9, 2026, at noon

What Fellows Experience

Recent Fellows have:

  • Attended cabinet and Board of Trustees meetings, including presenting to the full Board
  • Represented Mercer at the State Capitol
  • Planned and led a campus-wide capstone summit, drawing 70+ attendees
  • Engaged with alumni, accreditation teams and fundraising initiatives
  • Built strong personal and professional relationships with cohort-mates and university leaders

In Their Words

“Knowing I had a seat at the table — to have folks at this level of leadership see potential in me and encourage me — meant the world.”

For additional information, please contact Dr. Juanita Forrester at forrester_jk@mercer.edu.