Students who want to apply for nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships such as the Rhodes or Fulbright, but don't know how to start the process, can now take advantage of the Fellowships Initiative for help.

Launched and managed by the Office of International Programs (OIP), the new Fellowships Initiative is a resource for students in all academic areas. Ahmad Ezzeddine, associate vice president for educational outreach and international programs, says many Wayne State students would qualify for awards, but don't apply because they either don't know about these opportunities or wrongly think they don't qualify or can't compete for them.

"These prestigious programs and fellowships are exactly the programs that Wayne State students should pursue," Ezzeddine says. "Our students have the background, skills, academic preparation and drive that make them very competitive when they apply, and we are launching this initiative and assembling our resources to help them with the process.

"This is part of our broader goal of providing our students with experiences that not only enhance their resumes, but just as importantly help them grow as individuals, develop their global competencies, become aware of and work on solutions to world problems. When they return to campus, they bring a broader worldview with them and share it with other students. One student receiving a fellowship is exponentially beneficial to the campus as a whole."

Associate Professor Kevin Deegan-Krause of political science and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College is the fellowships faculty coordinator, and Heidi Prillwitz, an academic services officer in study abroad and global programs, is the program coordinator. Both can help students find the right program for their interests; advise on how to strengthen essays and interview skills; and provide guidance for securing strong letters of recommendation.

Their best advice to students interested in applying for a national fellowship? Start preparing right now. Don't wait until the year you are eligible for the program.

"Wayne has remarkable students who can be very competitive for these fellowships," Deegan-Krause says. "It's true that many of the application processes take time and effort, but that's exactly the kind of challenge that motivates our best students, and the way these applications are constructed, they help every applicant understand themselves better and develop a coherent plan for life after graduation.

"Winning the scholarships is great, but the real prize is available to everyone who applies: an opportunity to think coherently about the future you want for yourself and the world, and about the steps you can take to get there."

In general, good student candidates are energetic and high-achieving, with the potential to make significant contributions for the public good. Additional assets include high GPAs; service-learning courses or meaningful volunteer experience; honors courses (and other rigorous coursework); research experience; studying abroad; leadership and participation in campus and community activities.

Students who want to learn more about opportunities can attend information sessions slated for 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27. A link to the meeting will be sent after an online reservation is received.

Questions can be directed to fellowships@wayne.edu, and more information is available at oip.wayne.edu/fellowships.

The Office of International Programs leads Wayne State's global engagement by creating opportunities that foster international education and research, facilitate the exchange of individuals and ideas that promote global competencies and citizenship, and provide resources that support the expansion of the university's global agenda. Follow us @WayneOIP.