This year, Urban Alliance launched a new fellowship program for regional direct service staff to gain professional development and contribute to the work of the national staff.
During the pandemic, we created cross-functional working groups to encourage collaboration and innovation regardless of job title so that teams could learn from one another each step of the way, making real-time course correction possible. The infusion of fresh ideas and team spirit even in a virtual work environment was invigorating. To more formalize this collaborative approach in which our collective ability to best serve our students trumps reporting structures, job descriptions, and job titles, we have created a fellowship program. Urban Alliance Fellows will gain leadership experience and skills in a new discipline while bringing their unique perspective as the staff most closely working with students to each aspect of UA’s national work.
Congratulations to our inaugural class of Urban Alliance Fellows!
Chris Allen, Greater DC Region Program Coordinator – Organizational Development Fellow working closely with the CEO, COO, and human resources team to strengthen organizational culture, communication, and processes
Alexis Hardy-Wills, Greater DC Region Program Coordinator – Alumni Action Research Fellow working with the Alumni Services team to research and formulate an action plan for an alumni-to-student support program
Lauren Landis, Greater DC Region Program Coordinator (Northern Virginia) – Mentor Resource Fellow working with national program staff to build a mentor resource library, develop new mentor trainings, and build a stronger mentor community