The DxD First-year Fellows Program is more than just a leadership opportunity. It’s a chance to join a community of motivated students committed to making a difference.
Through a cohort of just 20 first-year students, fellows will build the confidence and capacity to engage across differences, navigate challenging conversations, and strengthen communities on campus and throughout their lives. Grounded in a commitment to free speech and the widest possible range of perspectives and viewpoints, the program equips students to explore ideas openly, engage in respectful disagreement, and foster meaningful dialogue across differences.
Learn to lead across difference
Fellows participate in a series of workshops, courses and hands-on learning experiences that help them develop critical leadership competencies, including:
- Dialogue and facilitation skills
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Civic engagement
- Relationship building
Build community through peer mentorship
Each fellow will join a small group led by a DxD Student Ambassador, a trained returning student who serves as a mentor, guide, and resource throughout the year. Ambassadors help fellows:
- Transition successfully to college life
- Deepen their dialogue skills
- Connect with the WashU community
- Develop a strong sense of belonging
Explore complex issues beyond campus
Fellows participate in a fully funded experiential learning trip focused on exploring the rural-urban divide and political polarization and will:
- Engage in conversations with community members, civic leaders and local organizations
- Gain firsthand exposure to perspectives and experiences different from your own
- Explore the challenges and opportunities facing communities across the country
- Develop a deeper understanding of complex social and civic issues
- Strengthen your ability to engage thoughtfully and constructively across differences
Who should apply?
In partnership with Undergraduate Admissions, the DxD First-year Fellows Program recruits outstanding incoming first year undergraduate students who demonstrate a strong interest in:
| Leadership development | |
| Community engagement | |
| Civic involvement | |
| Dialogue and bridge-building | |
| Learning from diverse perspectives |