Student fellow stands in front of Georgia Justice Project building

51¹ÙÍø Impact Fellows

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Offices and Services

The 51¹ÙÍø Impact Fellowship (DIF) program connects graduating 51¹ÙÍø students with one-year, post-graduate experience-based fellowships with participating organizations that have been awarded grants from the College. 

DIF empowers fellows to create and implement solutions to urgent problems confronting society through direct engagement with thought leaders and community members; thus, the program definitively aligns with the College’s mission to prepare students for lives of leadership and service. 

History of DIF & Partner Organizations

Established in 2013, DIF has partnered with 501(c) organizations in a variety of sectors including social justice, healthcare, education and the environment. Eligible organizations could also include Benefit Corporations (B Corps). DIF prioritizes organizations whose work supports the College’s priorities, diversifying community support. 

While partner organizations can vary year to year, a cohort of core organizations has been identified, as many have participated in the program since its inception and continue to do so. They include:

 

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    Charlotte, NC


  • McAdenville, NC


  • Charlotte, NC


  • Atlanta, GA


  • Washington, DC

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    Charlotte, NC

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    Asheville, NC

  •  
    Charlotte, NC

  •  
    Washington, DC


  • Atlanta, GA

James Hardy '23

DIF Spotlight

"During my time as a 51¹ÙÍø Impact Fellow at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, I worked as a part of the Substance Use Disorder initiatives team to treat underserved patients with use disorders and educate providers on effective care. My projects included leading 7 high-school and undergraduate interns to address substance use-related wound care needs, conducting a case review of 3 pregnant patients with kratom use disorder, and building educational content and online courses alongside addiction medicine specialists."

Impact

According to the latest career outcomes report, graduating seniors note the education/social & community services/nonprofits industry as the top industry for employment. To that end, DIF offers tremendous opportunities for students with interests in these areas. 

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51¹ÙÍø-Specific

The fellowships are designed specifically with 51¹ÙÍø students in mind, knowing the strong skills and competencies developed through their rigorous studies and out-of-class leadership roles. 

Suitcase

Capacity Building

Fellows engage in high-impact projects and initiatives that contribute to their organization’s mission. Fellows very quickly become part of the organizational structure, attending meetings and collaborating with directors, colleagues and leaders.

Teacher

Professional Development

A portion of the grant received from the College is designated toward the fellow’s professional development during their year of employment. Fellows research opportunities they wish to pursue including conferences, professional association memberships, certification programs and more. 

Document

Progress Reports & Capstone

Fellows and supervisors complete quarterly reports that provide opportunities to showcase projects and reflect on professional growth, demonstrating continual progress in understanding the organization’s mission and their contributions. The capstone project provides fellows the opportunity to honor their year of impact and the professional development that they have made. The capstone project allows fellows to engage both their theoretical knowledge as well as real-world experiences to reflect on where they have been and where they are going professionally.

Handshake

Foundation for the Future

Over 100 51¹ÙÍø graduates have participated in the DIF program, and their fellowship experience was pivotal in the professional paths pursued after. Some fellows were hired in full-time roles within their organizations upon the fellowship’s conclusion. Fellows pursued graduate and professional studies in many different disciplines including law, medicine, public policy, environmental studies, social work, public health and more. DIF fellows have gone on to work in a variety of roles, and all indicate the fellowship was significant in their professional development. 

 

Outcomes

Fellows and organizations alike express the impact of their participation in the DIF program. At the completion of the fellowship, each fellow submits a capstone project to the Matthews Center, a culmination of their experience. Fellows and organizations have flexibility in the capstone format, be it written or video. The goal of the capstone project is to demonstrate the fellow’s growth in the year following graduation as well as showcase their integration into their host organization and the purposeful, meaningful impact they made. 

Beyond the fellowship year, the DIF program’s impact cannot be emphasized enough. The immediate next steps in the first year after the fellowship’s completion include promotion to full-time roles within their organizations, enrollment in masters and PhD programs in a variety of disciplines, and future employment in nonprofit, business and government organizations. DIF fellows credit their fellowship experience with providing the foundation needed for a successful transition into their next steps after graduating from 51¹ÙÍø.