PLP Academic Fellowships
What is the PLP Academic Fellows Program?
PLP values the pursuit of higher education and believes that a serious graduate education is vital to our Talents’ Jewish professional leadership paths. Our highly selective Academic Fellows program was started in 2005 to offer full tuition grants, an annual Professional Growth Stipend, mentoring, coaching, integrative learning and job placement assistance to Fellows pursing pre-approved graduate level degrees. In exchange, Fellows are expected to enter executive-level professional career tracks in U.S.-based Jewish non-profit organizations immediately following graduation.
In accordance with PLP values, the Academic Fellows are co-creators in their program, bringing their learning back full circle by conveying the latest business models and strategies learned in their schools, and helping integrate them into the PLP organizational model. PLP provides mentoring and guidance past their graduation dates to ensure a continued and successful leadership track.
How Are PLP Academic Fellows Selected?
Through rigorous screening, PLP Academic Fellows are selected based on displayed excellence in interpersonal, communication and intellectual arenas; demonstrated Jewish and general leadership skills; strong personal commitment to being an executive-level leader and change agent; and a strong vision for shaping the future of Jewish communal life in the United States. Please note that applicants must be citizens of, or have permanent residency status in, the United States.
Applications become available in November and are due in mid-February. Individuals considering applying are strongly encouraged to make contact with the Director of the program prior to submitting their application. Following an initial review of applications, finalists are invited to New York City for an in-person interview in late March or early April, and are notified within the following week as to whether or not they have been accepted into the program.
Which Degrees and Programs Are Eligible?
The PLP Academic Fellows program accepts applicants who will be attending any top-30 ranked U.S. Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Public Administration programs. Fellows pursuing an MBA or MPA only must participate in an individualized course of Judaic Studies and a winter seminar in Israel, developed in consultation with PLP.
PLP also accepts applicants from the following distinguished dual-degree programs:
- New York University Wagner-Skirball Program - Joint Masters of Arts degree in Jewish Studies & MPA in Non-profit Management;
- Heller/Hornstein: The Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University - Joint Masters of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership & Masters of Business Administration;
- William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America - Masters of Arts in Jewish Education (additional non-profit management courses at NYU’s Wagner School required); and
- HUC-JIR School of Jewish Communal Service – Joint Masters of Arts degree in Jewish Communal Service (MAJCS) with the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business (MBA) or School of Policy, Planning and Development (MPA).
Applications will be available in November of 2008. In the meantime, please contact Herb Tobin at htobin@hillel.org for more information and an initial conversation regarding your candidacy and the program.
