School of Music Community Fellows Program

The School of Music (SoM) Community Fellows Program seeks undergraduate and graduate students to provide leadership and develop opportunities for the school, with a focus on building a healthy and vibrant community. Fellows work with faculty and staff at the school-level to identify and support academic, social, and professional development needs and provide resources, mentorship opportunities, and specialized programming for students across the school. Additional efforts will be made to sustain leadership funding awards and build a strong and supportive student community. For questions about the Community Fellows Program, please contact Anna Paradis or Asher Suski.

The application for 2024-2025 Fellowship Program is closed.

Eligibility Requirements

This Fellowship opportunity is available to all students admitted and enrolled in the School of Music who identify as an undergraduate or graduate student in the School of Music Fellows should have strong leadership and communication skills and possess a desire to support fellow students and the school in promoting community values and advocating for student needs related to accessibility, safety, and belonging. Students must make good academic progress and have approval from their faculty advisor to participate in this fellowship opportunity.

Expectations & Responsibilities

Fellows will be expected to serve one-year terms and may reapply for the fellowship each year. A $1,000 fellowship award will be provided, split between the fall and spring semesters. Current Fellows must reapply to serve one additional year of service (two year maximum term) as a SoM Community Fellow.

Fellows can expect to work 2-5 hours each month including occasional evening and weekend events. Other responsibilities include:

Attend monthly lunch meetings throughout the academic year (while classes are in session). Fall (Sept-Nov) and Spring (February-April)
Facilitate and plan a minimum of one performance, social, or professional development event each year focused on building a healthy & vibrant community (partnering with other student organizations, campus student services, or other departments or university offices).
Attend at least two on-campus recruitment events and one off-campus recruitment event if possible (e.g. SoM Audition Days, event networking, panels, tours or one-on-one meetings with prospective students) as a representative of KU and the School of Music (school apparel provided).
Provide mentorship to new undergraduate & graduate students and student groups to promote DEIB efforts in music as an opportunity.
Build community within the school by connecting with other students through student surveys, town hall or discussion events, promoting and attending DEIB training, and tabling or being available for office hours each month (estimate 1 hr a month).

We encourage SoM Diversity Fellows to seek out and promote diversity-related news, research articles, and events through social media within the school.

Application

Prospective Fellows are required to complete a short application which includes, profile information, short essay questions, a statement of purpose, and advisor’s letter of recommendation. Applications open and are posted on the DEIB webpage. Based on the completed application, students will be selected for a personal online interview and we hope to have the selection process complete by the end of August, with meetings starting in September.