Current and past Ohio Fellows on a walking tour
Ohio Fellows Program
Meet the Fellows
Advisory Board

Ohio Fellows Program

Mission Statement

The Ohio Fellows Program, inspired by The Ohio Plan (1964-1970), is a non-traditional scholars initiative designed to identify and nurture extraordinary leadership potential in students. Offering an individually tailored, interactive educational encounter, we transcend conventional academic boundaries to unlock and advance inherent talents. Emphasizing experiential learning, action-oriented leadership, and a commitment to societal challenges, our program fosters collaboration with faculty, peers, and a diverse alumni network.

Join Ohio Fellows, where the pursuit of excellence converges with a rich legacy of leadership. We empower Fellows to become socially concerned individuals, capable of making a significant impact. Together, we unlock extraordinary potential, fostering a community dedicated to action, innovation, and positive societal change. 

OHIO Fellows graphic

The program offers:

  • An inclusive community of inquisitive students and faculty
  • Travel support for educational advancement
  • Unique access to faculty and an extensive alumni network
  • Academic dialogue and personal growth

Program Goals

  • Leadership Development: Participants in the Ohio Fellows Program will develop and enhance their leadership potential through experiential learning, mentorship, and engagement with a diverse community of faculty, peers, and accomplished alumni.
  • Experiential Learning Excellence: Students will excel in their fields through individually tailored, interactive educational encounters that transcend traditional academic boundaries. The program will provide concrete opportunities for students to mix theory with responsibility, fostering a hands-on, action-oriented approach to learning.
  • In-depth Learning and Collaboration: Fellows will engage in in-depth learning experiences, collaborating closely with faculty, peers, and a robust alumni network. This collaborative environment will encourage dialogue, critical thinking, and the exchange of diverse perspectives, enriching the educational journey.
  • Commitment to Societal Impact: Ohio Fellows will embody a commitment to societal challenges, recognizing the importance of responsible leadership. The program aims to instill a sense of social responsibility in participants, encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.
  • Diversity and Inclusivity: The Ohio Fellows Program seeks to create a diverse and inclusive community, reflecting a broad range of fields of study and backgrounds. By embracing diversity, the program aims to increase awareness of human problems in various areas and promote a well-rounded understanding of societal challenges.
  • Mentorship and Networking: Fellows will benefit from mentorship opportunities with faculty, administrators, and a network of accomplished alumni. These interactions aim to provide valuable insights, guidance, and the building of connections that contribute to the personal and professional growth of the participants.
  • Application of Leadership Skills: The Ohio Fellows Program will equip participants with practical leadership skills, emphasizing the importance of decision-making and implementation. Fellows will be encouraged to take on responsibility and actively contribute to actions and programs that hold significance for the university community and beyond. 

Applications and Nominations

Ohio Fellows is a non-traditional scholars program — an individually tailored, interactive educational encounter that unlocks and advances the inherent potential in students. The Ohio Fellows program fosters in-depth learning and engagement through close collaboration with faculty, peers, and alumni.

To learn more about the Ohio Fellows Program, please stop by the Walter Student Success Center (next to Baker Center) on Wednesday, March 5 from 5:15pm to 6:30pm.

Applications are open until 5pm on March 17, 2025. To express your interest, complete some background information and respond to a short prompt at Ohio Fellows Application (opens in a new window). 

The Ohio Fellows Experience

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Pushing Boundaries and Realizing Aspirations

"The Ohio Fellows program has not only given me the resources and support I need to reach my goals, but they've also pushed me to bigger and better aspirations. We are given the opportunity to learn from experts in different fields, open our minds to others' beliefs and opinions, and explore our own interests through our mentors and peers. I will be the first to admit that I didn't know what I was getting into when I first applied for this program, but through the interview process, I was able to realize that the Ohio Fellows was definitely something I needed to be a part of. Little did I know, that this program would become a major asset to my life. The Faculty Fellows are always there to challenge my thinking, but also offer support and clarity. I look forward to the next two and a half years in the program."

— Camille Rose Smith

 

Broadening Horizons

"The Ohio Fellows program is remarkable because it provides an opportunity for a diverse group of students to comfortably discuss pertinent topics. It brings together students that work well with each other but otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to meet as we are all in different majors and colleges. It has helped me broaden my horizons and feel much less anxious about deciding what path to take. The Fellows Program will bring you in contact with successful alumni, a lot of whom, like me, were unsure of what path they would take when they were in school. This has given me hope and makes things a little less stressful amid the overwhelming amount of choices and decisions that we face at this time in our lives."

— Tristan Cormack

 

Turning Ambitions into Reality

"For me, the Fellows boils down to having your ideas and your ambitions taken seriously and then having those ideas challenged and those ambitions facilitated. I started a literary journal this year, which would be nonexistent without the support of the Fellows, and this experience is now the crux of my internship applications. My Fellows mentor, Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath, also brought me along with her to a meeting with Tricycle Magazine, where I had the privilege of observing the professional version of my current passion projects."

— James Chrisman

Ohio Fellows Newsletters

FALL 2021
Spring 2021
Fall 2019
Spring 2019