Gordon Presidential Fellows

The Program

The Gordon Presidential Fellows Program offers exceptionally talented students the opportunity to develop their leadership potential through unique exposure to senior leaders, substantive work assignments, and horizon-broadening educational opportunities.

Modeled on the highly competitive, highly effective White House Fellowship, the Presidential Fellows Program affords Gordon students the chance to work directly with a member of college senior leadership, who mentors the student through a yearlong fellowship. Through their work assignments and special mentoring opportunities, the Fellows learn firsthand the process of leading a major institution. The Program aims to catalyze the leadership potential of a select group of students, equipping them to assume positions of major responsibility within ten to fifteen years of graduation.

The Fellowship

Gordon Presidential Fellows work approximately ten hours per week in the office of their Principal, advancing the College’s mission by assisting with an array of responsibilities. In addition to this substantive work placement, Gordon Presidential Fellows participate in a yearlong series of seminars and workshops led by President Hammond. The Fellows’ educational program will enhance their leadership development by exposing them to senior leaders visiting the Gordon College campus or located in the greater Boston area. Gordon Presidential Fellows are paid $14 per hour. Applicants must be full-time students and available to serve for the entire academic year.

The White House Fellows Model

The Gordon Presidential Fellows Program is modeled on the highly competitive White House Fellowship, regarded as the nation’s most effective leadership development program.

Sociologist and former Gordon College President D. Michael Lindsay conducted the first systematic study of this program. During the course of that research, he determined that White House Fellows are 2.5 times more likely to assume positions of societal responsibility (such as leading a Fortune 500 firm) than are their peers.

A thorough review of the program revealed several key elements that made the White House Fellowship so successful in shaping the leadership horizons of Fellows. Informed by this unique line of research, Gordon's Cabinet has designed a program that emulates the strengths of the White House Fellowship. Although several institutions have launched “presidential fellowship” programs in recent years, only the Gordon Presidential Fellows Program is based on the insights gained from this singular study. As a result, only students at Gordon College will be able to take advantage of this type of leadership development experience.

Our aim is for Gordon to distinguish itself as one of the country’s strongest institutions for undergraduate leadership development. The Gordon Presidential Fellows Program is the College's premier flagship leadership program and plays a fundamental role in continuing to secure that reputation for the College.