In 2009, Elon Law established its Leadership Fellows program for students who have exhibited extraordinary leadership through public, collegiate, military, or other experiences. Applicants must show impressive academic achievement and submit an essay explaining how their leadership skills could be further cultivated and applied at Elon Law or in the practice of law and in their communities. Finalists are interviewed prior to final selections.
Leadership Fellows take on a number of responsibilities including assisting administration and faculty with the Leadership Lecture Series and taking on a Capstone project in their final year of law school. Fellows enjoy benefits such as access to scholarship awards and the chance to participate in a summer externship with a public sector organization. Course credit and a scholarship for the tuition of the externship course, as well as basic living expenses are provided.
Just last month, the Elon Law Leadership Fellows hosted a “Think Globally, Act Locally” forum for 30 Elon University undergraduate Leadership Fellows. The forum addressed social justice issues and potential solutions through the examination of those who have encouraged widespread change through local activity.
The forum included an introduction by law school dean George R. Johnson, Jr. and a speech about the law school's Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic by Heather Scavone, a clinical practitioner in residence at Elon Law. Following Scavone's speech, breakout groups were formed to discuss local methods of targeting global issues. Each group was responsible for creating a plan to promote change.
According to Senges, he and other Leadership Fellows are hopeful that these events will continue on an annual basis.
