The 2023 Mandela Cohort spent six weeks living in UD campus housing, experiencing student life, civic engagement programming, and exposure to life in the greater Newark community.

Investing in the next generation of African leaders

Article by Grace Kearns Photos courtesy of Tracy Jentzsch March 14, 2024

Mandela Washington Fellows will develop leadership skills and engage with UD and Newark communities

The University of Delaware will welcome its 10th cohort of Mandela Washington Fellows this summer after being selected as one of 28 institute partners for the esteemed Civic Engagement Institute.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, cementing one decade of engagement, collaboration and connection with young professionals from many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2014, the initiative has invited 6,500 Fellows with interests in civic engagement, public management and business and entrepreneurship to participate in a six-week leadership and professional development institute on American college campuses. UD has had the honor of hosting Fellows every year since the program’s inception, with the exception of 2020, when the program paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are extremely proud to welcome the Fellows again this year, and we look forward to supporting their personal and professional breakthroughs throughout this unique program,” said UD Provost Laura Carlson, who hosted a networking reception for last year’s cohort in June 2023. “The possibilities for global and local engagement are endless, whether it be through academic coursework, leadership training or networking.”

Cultivating global networks is a priority outlined in UD’s Global 360 Strategy, which serves as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research and service missions. As a host institute of the prestigious Fellowship, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by IREX, the University has developed and maintained strong partnerships with institutions throughout Africa and contributed to the development of dozens of young African leaders. A team of staff and faculty from multiple disciplines work year-round to make the program a success.

“For 10 years, this program has proven that opening our campus to young leaders from around the world can foster invaluable connections and provide memorable learning experiences, not only for the Fellows but also for the larger UD community,” said Ravi Ammigan, associate provost for international programs. “We are proud to have made this initiative a tradition at UD and we look forward to another successful program this summer.”

UD Student Engagement Leaders (SELs) and staff led the cohort on many professional and cultural excursions, including a site visit to the Kuumba Academy in Wilmington, Delaware, where they learned about different models of education.

Last summer, the Blue Hen community welcomed 25 Fellows, representing 19 different countries. For six weeks, the group spent each day attending practical academic workshops, mingling with government officials, developing leadership skills, sharing meals with American families, volunteering their time to local organizations, and participating in site visits related to their professional interests. This immersive experience has ripple effects when the Fellows return home.

“I will train other young leaders in my country who may not have the opportunity of going through this program,” said Mercy Mwende, a 2023 Fellow from Kenya. “I will be active with the government, as I hope to run for office in the future, leveraging all I have learnt from this program to transform my community.”

The Fellows also embraced group networking and training opportunities with UD leadership, state leaders and civic organizations, as well as small group events tailored to the Fellows’ individual interests.

“Networking receptions helped me gain the contacts I want for elevating my work,” said Abel Telkit, a 2023 Fellow from Ethiopia. “I pitched for supplies I wanted to address healthcare inequalities, and guess what? I got them from two different suppliers all down to a simple networking event, thanks to this prestigious fellowship.”

To culminate their experience in the Mandela Washington Fellowship, members of the 2023 UD cohort collaborated on a song and video project that they shared at the closing dinner on campus and summit in Washington, D.C. Written and produced entirely by the Fellows, “Mandela’s Vision” honors the program’s mission and hopes to inspire future cohorts for years to come.

Beginning on June 20, 2024, the Blue Hen community will welcome a new cohort of 25 Fellows from 20 different sub-Saharan African countries. This special year will once again include living in campus housing, where Fellows experience UD campus life, civic engagement programming, exposure to life in the greater Newark community, and lots of celebration of the 10-year anniversary to underscore UD’s commitment to global initiatives.

About the Mandela Washington Fellowship

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. It was developed by the Young African Leaders Initiative to demonstrate the United States’ investment in Africa. At the end of the six-week institute, Fellows from across the country are brought together for a culminating summit in Washington, D.C. Following the summit, up to 100 Fellows are invited to extend their stay in the United States for an additional four-week professional development experience with U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies, and government agencies.

For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship or Young African Leaders, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org and join the conversation at #MWFCelebrate10 and #YALI2024.

For additional information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the University of Delaware, please visit udel.edu/academics/global/public-diplomacy/yali/ or contact the academic co-directors for 2024 Institute: Dr. Jessica Edwards and Dr. Yendelela Cuffee, or UD’s co-administrative directors Colin Miller and Dr. Tracy Jentzsch. To learn more, email UDMWFellowship@udel.edu. Follow #UDMWF2024 this summer.

About the Center for Global Programs and Studies

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

Follow and engage with @UDGlobal on Instagram and X for the latest updates on everything global happening at UD.