Rawlings Undergraduate Leadership Fellows

Leaders change the world in ways that are transformative, inclusive and long lasting. As a Rawlings Fellow, you engage in a two-semester holistic leadership experience with a cohort of fellow changemakers from all majors. Rawlings Fellows seek out or create opportunities to champion the voices for those who would otherwise go unheard, demonstrate a commitment to ethical leadership, and take an active interest in the community by mentoring and encouraging others. You will work side-by-side with others who share your passion, and you will develop the leadership skills to harness and build upon a community’s collective commitment for change.

Participation in the Rawlings Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program empowers students to act by equipping them with the necessary skills, resources and support for leadership roles, while engaging in areas of cultural pluralism, advocacy and change. Fellows design and implement their own community action projects, take leadership courses, serve at an internship, and meet elected officials, community advocates and nonprofit leaders. Each Fellow’s experience in the program will be guided by his or her interest in a specific policy issue. The program continues the legacy of Howard Peters “Pete” Rawlings and the work he did as a Delegate in the State of Maryland. He dedicated his life’s work to developing ethical and expert public leaders.

Program Benefits:

• Teambuilding
• Completion of a leadership development seminar in the fall semester (PLCY388N,
Wednesdays at 4:15pm)
• Mentoring relationships with professors and teaching assistants, with opportunity for
mentorship through internships
• Access to renowned leadership scholars and policy faculty
• Organized site visits
• Development of a Community Action Project (CAP)
• Public service and professional development events
• Participation in courses and events on leadership in public life
• Certificate of completion

Application Deadline: Friday, March 29th 

Prospective students can learn more and apply at this link.

Point of contact: Any questions can be directed to the Rawlings graduate assistant, Maleeha Coleburn (cmaleeha@umd.edu).