SELI provides highly motivated and diverse undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students opportunities to develop as leaders, engage in their communities, and learn about contemporary education issues through this leadership development effort. Students spend the summer in trainings and working at an assigned education supporting nonprofit organization, state agency or school district. During this experiential learning opportunity, they examine strategies for improving education, addressing community needs, and putting theory into practice. View the SELI FAQ for more details.

Through career coaching, mentorship, networking, and practical skill-building opportunities, paired with experiences to sharpen one’s racial equity lens, SELI lifts up a new generation of leaders and strategic thinkers by providing them with real-world opportunities where they can grow academically, professionally and civically. Not only does the fellowship provide an unparalleled glimpse into diverse aspects of the education sector, but also insight into Fellows’ own capacity for leadership in the field. SELI fellowships have been characterized as illuminating and even life-changing.

SELI fellowships also create value for placement sites, communities, and ultimately public school students. The work completed by SELI fellows has major implications for their host organizations and will continue to impact the populations served well after the fellowship concludes.