Thursday, December 11, 2003
Contact: Brad Lyons, Director of Communications
(314) 991-3000 - blyons@dhedisciples.org

Disciples with leadership potential for the church who will begin college next year are invited to apply for the Division of Higher Education Leadership Fellows Program.

Incoming freshmen and students transferring from community colleges are eligible for the DHE Leadership Fellows program. To qualify for the fellowship, which includes a $2,000 grant, a student must be a member of a Disciples congregation planning to attend a regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States or Canada.

Students awarded the fellowship will develop, with DHE's assistance, a project on or near the student's campus designed to strengthen the fellow's leadership skills with the help of a mentor of his or her choice. Participants also attend an annual leadership fellows development conference at DHE's expense. The fellowship may be renewed for up to three additional years if the student meets academic and service standards.

Currently 24 Disciples students are recognized as DHE Leadership Fellows. Visit www.dhedisciples.org for a complete list of current fellows and alumni.

Guidelines and application forms can be downloaded free online at www.disciplesscholarships.org or may be requested by calling the Division of Higher Education at 314-991-3000. The application requires an essay, three references, and official transcripts, and all materials must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2004. Students will be notified by May 1 whether they have been named as fellows.

DHE works to nurture transforming leadership for the church in partnership with 17 universities and seven theological institutions related to with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). DHE also works with more than 80 campus ministry programs across the country. Including cooperative efforts with local congregations, DHE helped distribute more than $250,000 in financial assistance to students in 2003.