Southern Education Leadership Initiative (SELI) Fellow
Full Time • Atlanta, GA, 30303
101 Marietta St, NW, Ste. 1650 ∙ Atlanta, Georgia 30303 ∙ www.southerneducation.org
The Southern Education Foundation, Inc. (SEF), located in Atlanta, Georgia, is seeking highly motivated and diverse undergraduate and graduate students to join its Southern Education Leadership Initiative (SELI).
Since 1867, the mission of the Southern Education Foundation has been to advance equitable education practices and policies in the South through research, advocacy, leadership development, and technical assistance to help every student attain a high-quality education that propels them toward the opportunity-rich life they deserve.
Candidates will be committed to the belief that education is the vehicle by which all students have access and opportunities for fair chances to develop their talents and attain school success. SELI Fellowship candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to educational equity and embody SEF’s mission and vision.
To learn more, please visit https://southerneducation.org/what-we-do/leadership-development/seli/.
The Opportunity:
Launched in 2004 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the Southern Education Leadership Initiative (SELI) is a unique fellowship program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in education and social justice. SELI fellows gain hands-on experience in educational equity through an eight-week summer fellowship where they are placed with organizations across the South, working on projects that promote equity and excellence in education.
As a SELI fellow, you will:
- Develop as leaders in education and civil rights
- Engage with important community stakeholders
- Acquire practical job skills
- Learn about contemporary education issues in the South
Fellows are placed in school districts, education agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that focus on advocacy, policy analysis, grant-making, community organizing, and direct service. Each placement is tailored to match the fellow’s skills, interests, and developmental needs.
Program Highlights:
- Stipend: Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend for living expenses, with additional financial assistance available for relocation if needed.
- Travel Support: SEF covers travel expenses for orientation and closing meetings in Atlanta, as well as for relocation to placement sites.
- Comprehensive Training: A three-day orientation from May 14 to May 16, 2026, in Atlanta, GA provides fellows with tools and strategies for leadership and equity work.
- Fellowship Placement: Full-time, in-person placement in an organization across the southern region from May 19 to July 11, 2026, under the supervision of seasoned leaders.
- Reflection and Networking: Fellows participate in a closing meeting from July 16 to July 18, 2026, in Atlanta, GA to reflect on their experiences and join a robust alumni network of over 300 SELI leaders.
Eligibility and Other Requirements:
- Must be between 20 and 35 years old.
- Must be currently enrolled in a four-year college or graduate program.
- Must have completed 60 credit hours (the equivalent of junior status or above in an undergraduate program) or be currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, or professional program at a college or university. No minimum GPA is required.
- All majors are accepted, but you must have a demonstrated interest in education equity and/or social justice.
- Must have excellent interpersonal, writing, and critical thinking skills, with flexibility to respond well to diverse people, settings, and tasks.
- Deadline for the submission of a complete application is February 3, 2026, at 5 PM ET. Deadline extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Amber C. Davis with SEF at adavis@southerneducation.org to request an extension.
- Must only work on assigned projects from the placement site and SEF during the fellowship. Students do not design their projects for this experiential learning opportunity but are assigned projects by their placement site supervisor.
- Must be willing to relocate to another city or town for the summer, and refrain from any coursework, test preparation, or other jobs or internships during the summer program. Fellows must attend in full the Orientation and Closing Meeting and be physically present at their placement site for office hours and for the duration of the program.
Application Process:
To apply, submit the following by February 3, 2026, at 5 PM ET
1. Online application: Apply Here
2. Resume including education, work experience, and achievements
3. College transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
4. A response to Short Answer Questions included in the application
5. Recommendation forms from one or two professional references: Share the link to the recommendation form with recommenders directly (bit.ly/RecommendSELI). All recommendations must be submitted before the application deadline to complete your submission
To apply, submit the following by February 3, 2026, at 5 PM ET
1. Online application: Apply Here
2. Resume including education, work experience, and achievements
3. College transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
4. A response to Short Answer Questions included in the application
5. Recommendation forms from one or two professional references: Share the link to the recommendation form with recommenders directly (bit.ly/RecommendSELI). All recommendations must be submitted before the application deadline to complete your submission
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: February 3, 2026
- Orientation: May 14–16, 2026 (Atlanta, GA)
- Fellowship Placement: May 19–July 11, 2026
- Closing Meeting: July 16–18, 2026 (Atlanta, GA)
Join a Legacy of Change:
The SELI Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to advance educational equity while gaining invaluable professional experience. Upon completion, fellows join SEF’s prestigious alumni network, continuing their journey to create a more just and excellent education system for all.
Southern Education Foundation
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by partners and donors committed to advancing equitable education policies and practices that elevate learning for low-income students and students of color in the southern states. We develop and disseminate research-based solutions for policymakers and grow the capacity of education leaders and influencers to create systemic change.
We believe education equity is essential to achieve quality and fairness in the public education system.
Equity exists when race and income are no longer the most reliable predictors of student success and systems work to ensure that each child receives what they need when they need it, to develop to their full academic and social potential. We envision a world where every student, regardless of background, enjoys an education that propels them toward the opportunity-rich life they deserve.
Our Mission
Since 1867, the mission of Southern Education Foundation has been to advance equitable education practices and policies in the South through research, advocacy, and leadership development that will result in every student regardless of background attaining a high-quality education that propels them toward the opportunity-rich life they deserve.
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