Mercer University’s Center for Leadership, Ethics and Service and the Office of the President are taking applications for the Presidential Fellowship Program. The program aims will work with President Penny Elkins and those who are awarded a spot in it to develop leadership skills through service and engagement-based experiences. It is open to all undergraduate upperclassmen and graduate students, and applications are due Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Juanita Forrester is an associate professor of management in the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business and is the director of the Center for Leadership, Ethics and Service. She worked closely with Elkins’ office to kickstart the fellowship.
“Fellows have the opportunity to connect their values with Mercer’s, not just as an institution, but as a community,” Forrester wrote in an email. “This connection, and getting to think carefully about what kind of leader they want to be, will be one of the biggest takeaways that fellows have through the experience.”
In its promotion for the program, the Center said it is looking for applicants who are action-oriented, academically exceptional and who demonstrate strong integrity, leadership and professionalism.
The program will introduce its inaugural cohort in 2026, and is one of many initiatives Elkins is looking to build upon over the coming years.
“President Elkins' vision emphasizes authentic student involvement – creating pathways for students to learn from leadership, contribute meaningfully and feel connected across units, programs and campuses,” Forrester wrote.
The Center's goals for the Presidential Fellowship program state that it is focused on creating a more interdependent relationship between the president’s office and student feedback, emphasizing that Elkins will gain insight on student experiences and hopes student voices can inform leadership and institutional priorities.
The Center also says that fellows will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with institutional leadership, to share their perspectives and represent the University as distinguished students.
“Having students be a part of the President’s Office will allow President Elkins to stay connected to how students experience Mercer while keeping student needs and priorities at the center of leadership conversations,” Forrester added.
“Even after graduation, we want to have the kind of impact on our students that makes them want to serve their communities and change the world for good,” Forrester said.
Hannah Mock ‘29 is a communications major at Mercer and is currently a staff writer for The Mercer Cluster. When she’s not at a coffee shop catching up on her studies, she is working on her latest artistic projects or out hiking a new nature trail. Her favorite things to write about include arts and culture, social issues and community accomplishments.
