At Franklin & Marshall, a highly personalized academic experience serves as a launchpad for lifelong leadership through the new Franklin & Marshall Leadership Fellows program. These distinctive fellowships, which will launch next fall, exemplify the College’s commitment to supporting students’ development as leaders through focused training and a four-year merit scholarship of $15,000 per year. 

Fellows will be part of a supportive and social community of innovative, like-minded leaders preparing to tackle real-world challenges. The program will provide access to special experiential learning opportunities on campus and in Lancaster and dedicated mentorship from expert faculty. 

“This program is an exciting example of what makes an F&M education unique—deep faculty mentorship, experiential learning, and the opportunity to make an immediate impact,” says Leslie Davidson, vice president for enrollment management. “Combined with immediate membership in a community of like-minded peers and the benefit of a merit scholarship, these programs will support talented students in a successful launch into their F&M careers.”

Approximately 20 incoming first-year students will be selected for each of the four fellows programs: Chesapeake Watershed Leadership, Creative Writing & Cultural Leadership, Future Founders Leadership, and Public Service Leadership. 

Students will be selected based on a holistic evaluation of their application to Franklin & Marshall, and can also indicate their interest in being considered for a specific program. 

President Andrew Rich emphasizes that leadership development is central to the mission of Franklin & Marshall. “Leadership does not need to be positional; it is about the development of skills, judgment, and values,” Rich says. “It is listening closely, thinking critically, and collaborating across differences. F&M has always been exceptional at helping students grow into leaders—through small classes, close mentoring, and countless opportunities to test ideas in real-world settings.”

The Leadership Fellows program builds upon that tradition. “These fellowships will provide students a focused pathway to develop leadership skills tied directly to the issues and communities they care about,” he said. “They are transformative experiences in the moment, but they also prepare students for life after F&M.”

Matthew Thomas ’10 returned to his alma mater in 2023 to serve as the College’s Director of Leadership Education. His passion for leadership stems from his own F&M experience, and he is excited for the new opportunities these fellowships will unlock for today’s students.

“I credit my F&M education everyday with developing my own critical thinking skill set, helping to launch me on the path that I have taken since graduation,” Thomas said. “The fellowships will build on our incredible educational foundation and give students an outlet to bond with other students devoted to becoming dynamic leaders. Through project-based learning opportunities and engaging experiences, they will build leadership skills applicable across disciplines and industries.”

According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ 2025 national employer survey, employers are more likely to hire graduates who participated in “high-impact practices” and leadership opportunities while in college, and they place the greatest value on the qualities that F&M intentionally nurtures.

“Employers tell us again and again that qualities like curiosity, motivation, leadership, and emotional intelligence matter most—and that they’re especially eager to hire graduates who’ve taken on internships, leadership roles, and hands-on community work,” said Stephanie McConnell, Executive Director of Career & Professional Development.

The Leadership Fellows program is designed to accelerate that development—giving students the tools to lead and experiences that will help them stand out in a competitive job market.