This summer, the Davidson Impact Fellows program will send the first participants to positions in several US cities and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. 15 Fellows were selected from a pool of 49 applicants, nearly one of every ten Davidson seniors. The positions will begin this summer and last for one calendar year, giving the fellows important exposure to the challenges and strategies involved in non-profit leadership. In all cases the fellows will report directly to senior leaders and be given significant responsibility for projects within the organization.
Most of the positions are a direct result of parents and alumni who were able to bring fellows to organizations where they serve in various leadership roles. Our recent grads will be going to the following organizations: Catawba Lands Conservancy (Charlotte), Communities in Schools (Charlotte), Foundation for the Carolinas (Charlotte), Fundación Haciendas Del Mundo Maya (Yucatan Penisula, Mexico), Georgia Justice Project (Atlanta), Teach for America – Charlotte, Touch Foundation (New York), and YES Prep (Houston). We are grateful to many in the extended Davidson network for making these happen.
We would like to give special thanks to two Davidson families who made remarkable contributions to the Davidson Impact Fellows program. Mary Beth and Chris Harvey generously stepped forward with a lead gift that made the program possible. Additionally, Marilu and Luis Bosoms are supporting four fellows this year through the family’s non-profit organization, the Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya (FHMM).
The Davidson Impact Fellows staff is beginning to work with new organizations to secure chances for students in the Class of 2014 to participate. The goal is to retain as many organizations as possible from this year, but also to add some new opportunities to the mix. If you have an idea for a fellowship site please contact Jeff Kniple, jekniple@davidson.edu.
Students in the Class of 2014 will be offered several information sessions to learn more about the Impact Fellows once they return to campus. Applications will be due in January, 2014. See the program website for updates as they become available.