May 23 - July 4, 2020

The Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows Program is a highly selective six week summer institute for rising college juniors offering unparalleled learning and networking opportunities at the home of America’s first president just outside our nation’s capital.

A key tenet of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association mission includes "educating the world about the life and legacies of George Washington, so that his example of character and leadership will continue to inform and inspire future generations." Since 2015, one of the programs that has most completely fulfilled this charge is the Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows. Our commitment to supporting the next generation of young Americans is steadfast and long-term, but owing to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we regretfully announce we will not host the Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows program in 2021. The decision to suspend our 2020 program was an unfortunate but necessary one, and we are extremely disappointed we will have to continue this hiatus through the next year.

Sponsoring a summer fellowship for our nation's brightest college leaders has been rewarding and inspiring, and we are hopeful that this program will continue one day soon.

We offer an all-inclusive six week program that provides housing, transportation, meals and a $3000 stipend.

• Live and learn at the celebrated Mount Vernon Estate
• Develop valuable leadership skills and tools
• Connect with successful Washington, DC leaders and decision makers
• Build a professional network with assigned mentors and peers from across the nation
• Advance an actionable cause with a capstone project
• Explore George Washington's life story and remarkable leadership

• Character-based Leadership and Decision Making

  The Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows program focuses on the tenets of civility, ethics, integrity, and credibility in leadership and decision-making as evidenced by George Washington throughout his life. Fellows will also explore their own character and how it shapes their ability to lead.

• Tactical Leadership and Institution Building

  How do visions become a reality? Students learn how George Washington built institutions that carried out his strategic objectives and encouraged those around him to do the same. Washington learned early in his career that brilliant strategic thinking required well-crafted institutions to support and carry out broader objectives.

• Strategic Leadership

  Utilizing specific examples from George Washington’s military and political career, fellows explore George Washington’s approach to the components of implementing a successful strategy. Strategic leadership necessitates prioritizing goals, organizing groups, and viewing the playing field through different perspectives. Fellows will study George Washington’s conceptions of power and discuss how he used that power to win the Revolutionary War, forge the Constitution, and sustain the nascent national government.

• Strategic Execution

  Fellows will study how George Washington led the first executive branch of government and explore the intricacies of leading groups as they execute carefully developed strategic visions. Fellows present their Capstone projects, discussing how they will implement their vision, create institutions, and formulate a plan of action.

• Students who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

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  Currently enrolled college sophomore in good standing
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  Proven leadership ability and involvement
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  Keen interest in American history
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  All majors welcome
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  Demonstrated interest in proposed capstone project
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  Cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher
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  Current U.S. Citizen

• Application requirements:

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  Resume
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  Four (4) written essays and/or video statements (view questions)
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  Two (2) letters of recommendation
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  Current college transcript (applicants may use an unofficial transcript)