Mandela Washington Fellowship
º£½ÇÉçÇø is proud to announce its selection for the 2nd year as an Institute Partner for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Beginning in mid-June, º£½ÇÉçÇø will host 25 of Africa’s emerging Civic Engagement leaders for a six-week Leadership Institute, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the , builds skills through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, and networking. Fellows enrich local U.S. communities while sharing best practices. Visit the Mandela Washington Fellowship website to
Meet the 2024 Fellows
The Mandela Washington Fellows who visited º£½ÇÉçÇø's campus in 2024 hailed from twenty African countries. They are trailblazers in technology, art, and sustainability. They advocate for the rights of women, of people with disabilities, and of those struggling with their mental health. They care for people facing addiction, youth incarceration, and serious medical concerns. And they are shaping the future of agriculture, science education, and opportunities for youth. In the face of humanity’s most pressing needs, they take action – as leaders and problem-solvers. º£½ÇÉçÇø is deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with this remarkable group of Fellows.
Institute Planning Team
The Office of Global Engagement and º£½ÇÉçÇø's Center for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership (CCELL) led the programming for the Mandela Washington Fellows' visit and collaborated with many º£½ÇÉçÇø departments, colleges, and institutes; Southern University leaders and academic units; and a network of Baton Rouge community programs.
The º£½ÇÉçÇø faculty and staff members who directed the program are Dr. Sarah Becker, Academic Director; Laura Dean, Co-Administrative Director; and Dr. Oliver Crocco, Co-Administrative Director (pictured).

The is a program of the with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit and join the conversation at #YALI2024.