Presidential Leadership Fellows Program
Lead your own way.
A limited number of spots are available for an exclusive University of North Dakota program that cultivates the next generation of leaders from UND’s best and brightest new first-year students. A diverse cohort of twenty-five high school seniors will be selected for the 4-year program each year.
Why apply for the Presidential Leadership Fellows program?
Selected students receive $16,000 in scholarships ($4,000/year up to four years) if they earn a minimum of 30 credit hours per year, maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete Presidential Leadership Fellows Program expectations/requirements.
By completing the 4-year Presidential Leadership Fellows Program, students will:
- Understand the importance of integrity as the linchpin for leadership.
- Value diverse perspectives and embrace the concept of inclusion.
- Develop resiliency in pursuing and achieving their goals.
- Demonstrate the ability to achieve involvement goals.
- Demonstrate the ability to achieve shared goals via teamwork.
- Relate co-curricular experiences to academic and professional aspirations.
Become a Presidential Leadership Fellows Student
- Apply online by December 1 (selections completed by February 1).
- Application link is emailed to eligible students once they are admitted to UND.
- The committee will choose approximately 75 applicants to participate in preliminary interviews (virtual).
- The Director of Leadership Development will oversee the selection process and work with the Leadership Advisory Committee to review applications and select each cohort.
Eligibility Requirements
First-Year Students
- Admitted to UND as a first-time/first-year student.
- U.S. citizens, permanent residents and international students.
- Involvement in clubs/organizations, volunteer service and/or employment experiences.
- 3.0 high school GPA (official transcript).
- Completed FAFSA (encouraged).
2-4 Year Students
- Complete 30 credits per year.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Complete Presidential Leadership Fellows Program Opportunities & Expectations (outlined below)
Program Opportunities & Expectations
Year 1
- Complete leadership skills pre-test.
- Attend monthly Presidential Leadership Fellows Program meetings.
- Complete 6-week Poolman Leadership Academy curriculum.
- Meet with an academic adviser and create a plan for academic success.
- Meet with Career Services and create a plan for career success.
- Attend various campus events (e.g. the Career Expo, Big Event, etc.)
- Complete 10 hours of community service.
- Join and participate in at least one student organization.
Year 2
- Enroll in a leadership-related course in the Leadership Minor.
- Attend monthly Presidential Leadership Fellows Program meetings.
- Participate in the UND Student Leadership Symposium.
- Meet with an academic advisor and review and update the pan for academic success.
- Meet with Career Services and develop a resume.
- Attend various campus events (e.g. the Career Expo, Big Event, etc.)
- Interview a UND or community leader about their leadership journey.
- Complete 10 hours of community service.
- Join and participate in at least one student organization.
Year 3
- Enroll in a leadership-related course.
- Attend monthly Presidential Leadership Fellows Program meetings.
- Assist in planning the UND Student Leadership Symposium.
- Meet with an academic advisor and review and update the pan for academic success.
- Meet with Career Services to review and update a resume.
- Attend various campus events.
- Connect with an alumni mentor.
- Coordinate and execute a Spring Break Week of Service.
- Attend a Presidential Leadership Fellows’ Luncheon.
- Complete 10 hours of community service.
- Join and participate in at least one student organization.
Year 4
- Enroll in a leadership-related course.
- Attend monthly Presidential Leadership Fellows Program meetings.
- Present at the UND Student Leadership Symposium
- Meet with an academic advisor and review and update the pan for academic success.
- Meet with Career Services to review and update a resume.
- Assist in selecting the first year cohort of Presidential Leadership Fellows
- Meet monthly with an alumni mentor.
- Plan and execute a capstone leadership project.
- Attend a Presidential Leadership Fellows’ Dinner.
- Complete 5 hours of community service.
- Attend UND Student Leadership Awards Ceremony.