COMPTON Mentor Fellowship

INFORMATIONAL MEETING: 
      Wednesday, October 21, 2009
      6:30 p.m.
      McCardell Bicentennial Hall 104


PURPOSE
To promote creativity and support the commitment of graduating seniors as they move beyond academic preparation toward "real world" application and contribution through a one-year fellowship experience involving a mentor relationship. The Fellowship is intended to be for one year, beginning and ending with the annual mid-June gathering of Fellows held in the San Francisco area. The Compton Mentor Fellowship Program is based on the belief that life-changing experiences occur when formal learning becomes transformed by action. Such complementary learning helps one see – and appreciate – the larger world through different eyes and a broadened perspective. In a sense, each Fellow co-creates the program: the pragmatic, self-directed nature of the Fellowship experience is meant to deepen and enrich knowledge, and guide Fellows to apply new understanding of themselves and the world in original ways.

At the core of the Fellowship is a partnership between a Fellow and a primary Mentor, who will be identified by the Fellowship candidate during the application process. The Mentor should be a source of guidance, encouragement, and impetus for continued learning and service. Ideally, a Mentor shares common interests and goals with the Fellow, and is willing to help transform academic studies into real-world applications [Middlebury faculty may not serve as Mentors, however].

AWARD
$36,000, which will cover living expenses, travel, equipment, and a mentor honorarium of up to $5,000.  The fellowship covers one year following graduation.

ELIGIBILITY
"Traditional age" graduating seniors [including Febs in class of 2008.5] from participating schools who are US citizens, or permanent residents holding I-551 immigration status, with leadership potential and good academic and citizenship records.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The Compton Mentor Fellowship Program welcomes innovative projects that encompass elements of the Foundation’s traditional funding interests in environment and sustainability, peace and conflict resolution, or population and reproductive health.  Proposed Fellowship projects should reflect a candidate's genuine interest in, and commitment to, a specific concern. In sum, the project should be personally meaningful and of significant social merit.  Middlebury applicants are encouraged to focus on Environmental Sustainability by proposing projects that relate to Climate Change and Energy Policy. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

• The Compton Foundation seeks individuals who demonstrate imagination, intelligence, integrity, and leadership.
• Fellows are self-starters, who show promise of creative achievement, and a commitment to compassionate and effective participation in the world community.Initiative, dedication
• A candidate's academic record, while not of primary importance, is also considered, along with extracurricular activities that reflect both initiative and dedication.Commitment to compassionate and effective participation in the world community

• The Foundation seeks individuals who strive to be thoughtful agents of change, and find the task of charting their own learning paths exciting rather than confounding.

STEPS FOR INITIAL APPLICATION

1. Download and complete the application form: 
      2010CMFapp.pdf
2. Develop a proposal incorporating the first four points listed in the "Candidate Essay Responses" on the application form [thus excluding the two letters of reference].
3. Prepare a budget following instructions on the budget worksheet.
4. Prepare a Banner Web Degree Progress Report and include copies of transcripts of courses taken elsewhere, if grades do not appear on the Middlebury College transcript.
5. Include a curriculum vitae.
6. For the internal application deadline, indicate the name, title, and location of individuals you are considering as mentors.  Candidates may contact the preferred individua by early January to ask whether he/she would be interested in serving as a mentor in the event they receive a nomination.
7. Deadline for submitting these materials to the Fellowship Office in Carr Hall:  January 7, 2010.

TIMELINE after submission of initial application:

• Committee Selection Interviews:  2nd week of J Term
• Nominees announced:  mid-January 2010
• Final applications due to Compton Foundation:  mid-March 2010
• Compton interviews in San Francisco:  last year:  Tuesday, April 21, 2009 (with activities from April 19 until the interviews)
• Fellows announced:  late April 2010
• Mentor Fellows orientation:  San Francisco, June 2010/TBA
• Fellows must start projects no later than July 15, 2010

CONTACT:  
   Arlinda Wickland, Director, Fellowships Office
   Adirondack House 203
   (802) 443-2455
   wickland@middlebury.edu  

URL:  http://www.comptonmentorfellowship.org

[last edited August 21, 2009]