Boise State University has been selected as an institute partner for the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Beginning in mid-June, Boise State will host 25 of Africa’s bright, emerging public management leaders for a six-week leadership institute, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities and local community engagement. Since 2014, the U.S. Department of State has supported nearly 3,700 young leaders from 49 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa to develop their leadership skills and foster connections and collaborations with U.S. professionals. The cohort of fellows hosted by Boise State will be part of a group of 700 Mandela Washington Fellows hosted at 27 educational institutions across the United States.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and working closely with its implementing partner, IREX, host institutions will offer leadership programs that will challenge, motivate and empower these inspiring young leaders from Africa. Fellows at Boise State will participate in academic sessions with faculty, visits to local nonprofits and companies, leadership training, and community service and peer collaboration opportunities. In addition, they and the Treasure Valley community will benefit from a rich cultural exchange in the form of presentations, host dinners and networking events.
“Hosting the institute will increase opportunities for advanced cultural understanding, wherein emerging leaders from all cultures are celebrated through collaboration. Because of these opportunities for collaboration, members of Boise State University and the surrounding community will only benefit from the fellows’ visit,” Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Tony Roark said. “In bringing this institute to Boise State, we will be bringing the world to our city and enlightening Boise about all of the unique customs and cultures present in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
All fellows will receive a letter from President Donald Trump welcoming them to the United States for their program. At the conclusion of their leadership institutes, these exceptional young leaders will convene in Washington, D.C., for the sixth annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, where they will take part in networking and panel discussions with each other and with U.S. leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors. Following the summit, 70 competitively selected fellows will participate in four weeks of professional development at U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies and government agencies.