Mission

The Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development Fellowship program (Intercultural LEAD) engages and supports high-achieving first-generation college students of financial need, including those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, who have demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to personal and professional identity development.

Scholars benefit financially from a $12,000 per year scholarship, personal mentoring, student workshops and enhanced campus experiences that support emerging leaders.

Program Structure

This program is unique to CSB+SJU and distinctive from most scholarship programs because it includes support and commitment beyond the scholarship dollars. Scholars invest in each other and in the program through retreats, twice monthly seminars, and mentoring between new and returning scholars.

Cohorts consist of 20-25 student scholars who:

• represent many different ethnicities, cultural identities and social perspectives
• promote equality and the ideas of civic stewardship and welcoming hospitality
• aspire to be academic leaders in college
• attend national and international leadership conferences

Intercultural LEAD scholars work with a network of professors, staff and peers to identify leadership opportunities both on-campus and in the greater community. Scholars will graduate with robust interpersonal and intellectual skills, having prepared themselves for a lifetime of leadership.

Although it is not a requirement, many of the scholars get involved in campus-based programs like student senate, cultural clubs, volunteerism and campus-based jobs. The goal is to have each student take advantage of the many opportunities CSB and SJU students encounter during their four-year experience.

What is the consideration process?

To be considered for a fellowship, students must complete the following steps:

• Apply for admission to CSB+SJU. Please note the regular decision admission application deadline is January 15.
• Complete the Intercultural LEAD Fellowship interest form by January 15.
• Complete the FAFSA. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the Intercultural-LEAD Fellowship program.
• Complete an interview. Selected Intercultural LEAD candidates will be invited to interview within two weeks of completing the application.
• Note: Intercultural LEAD form submissions are only open to high school seniors who have been accepted to CSB+SJU for the Fall 2026 semester.

The following criteria must be met for fellowship consideration:

• Students must be first-generation (CSB+SJU consider students to be first-generation if neither parent has a four-year degree.)
• Students must be high school seniors from the United States.

Intercultural LEAD Interest Form Steps

*Please note the Intercultural LEAD deadline has passed.*

1. Apply for Admission.
2. Complete the Intercultural LEAD interest form.
3. Complete the FAFSA.
4. Complete an interview.

Contact Paola Popoca with questions:

Phone: 800-544-1489
Email:  [email protected]

Intercultural LEAD FAQs