fellowship-program

2025 NVLF LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM

Build your skills. Serve your campus. Make a difference.

The NVLF Leadership Fellows program helps talented, dedicated students elevate their efforts to serve the military-connected community on their campus.

As a transformative leadership program for students who seek to improve the campus experience for military-connected students, the fellowship provides opportunities to:

  • Work with remarkable leaders to develop practical skills that will translate into future career success.
  • Collaborate with campus leaders on plans to improve support for military-connected students.
  • Take part in a national network of fellows and connect with talented students from colleges and universities across the country.
  • Have a positive impact and continue a life of service.

Being recognized as an NVLF Fellow is an honor that recognizes the value of service beyond self and lays the foundation for greater impact on campus.

What does it mean to be an NVLF Fellow?

Fellows must be able to take part in two leadership programs held in Columbus, Ohio.

NVLF Fellows Forum (June 24, 2025): All Fellows from across the country gather for a workshop focused on strategies for creating change on campus under the guidance of Major General Timothy Zadalis (USAF, Ret.), NVLF’s Dean of Leadership.

NVLF Leadership Forum (June 25, 2025): The Fellows will take part in the first day of the NVLF’s Leadership Forum, the leading national conference focused on advancing the higher education experience for those who have chosen to serve. This event brings together campus leaders and other allies to focus on practical actions to serve the military-connected community.

How are Fellows selected?

NVLF-affiliated universities nominate their top-performing Military Community Advocates or other student leaders. Each university can nominate up to three students. NVLF will make the final fellow selections.

The fellowship empowers students to serve and support the military community on their campus. Ideal candidates for the program will demonstrate:

  • A strong desire to represent their university
  • A passion for service and making a meaningful impact
  • A commitment to projects or initiatives benefiting military-connected students
  • Collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with others
  • A principled and ethical approach in all aspects of life

Agenda Highlights

• Character, Competence, and Connection: Explore what it takes to lead with authenticity, inspire others, and rise to meet leadership challenges while staying true to your values.

• Leadership in Action: Leading Change on Campus: Learn strategies for effective change management from experienced campus leaders who have successfully implemented new initiatives.

• Fellows in Action: Insights from Campus and Beyond: Hear from current and former Advocates about how their campus leadership roles shaped their career journeys and inspired change in their communities.

• Planning for Impact: Collaborate with peers to identify priorities, brainstorm ideas for campus improvements, and develop plans as Advocates.

• Practical Issues for MCAs: Discuss common challenges faced by Military Community Advocates and explore practical solutions.

• Leadership Spotlight: Jody Davids: Gain inspiration from NVLF Board Member Jody Davids, who rose through the ranks to become CIO for leading brands like PepsiCo. A mother of two Marine Corps veterans, Jody shares her journey of resilience and leadership, including the personal loss of her son Wesley in Iraq.

2025 Timeline

March

Mil-Vet office nominations are due to NVLF on March 1. Fellows selected by NVLF will complete a fellowship registration form.

April

NVLF Fellows announced. Universities will want to coordinate a local press release and campus announcement. NVLF will send travel stipends to schools.

May

Fellows will meet online for an orientation session (date TBD). Schools will be responsible for working with their fellow to arrange travel.

June 24-25

Forum events are held in Columbus, Ohio.

Questions? Contact Laura Gaines at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the fellowship program only for veterans?

No. Fellows are not required to be veterans or currently serving. Military spouses and dependents—or other allies supportive of the military-connected community—are eligible for the fellowship.

Are students at my university eligible for this fellowship?

Any NVLF-affiliated university can nominate a Fellow. Click here for a full list.

Can students nominate themselves?

No. While we encourage students to demonstrate interest in the program, nominations are submitted by the Military-Veteran office director or other staff member.

Our campus does not yet have a Military Community Advocate (MCA) program. Can we nominate a Fellow?

Yes. The goal of the program is to support student leaders who are serving the military-connected community. Sometimes a university starts by nominating a student who then helps get an MCA program off the ground as a Fellow.

The student I want to nominate isn’t able to attend the June events. Can I still nominate them?

Attending the leadership events in June is a requirement of the fellowship program. While we understand that emergencies arise, please verify that any student you nominate understands this commitment to attend.

Will NVLF reimburse Fellows for travel?

TRAVEL: NVLF will provide a grant to each university to be applied toward the costs of travel ($750 for travel that requires airfare; $250 for states adjacent to Ohio). Each university is responsible for working with its Fellow to manage travel arrangements and costs. 

LODGING: NVLF will reserve and pay for hotel rooms for the Fellows. 

NVLF will not reimburse Fellows for any other expenses incurred.

Do I register our Fellow for the NVLF Leadership Forum?

No. The NVLF will register Fellows for the first day of June’s Leadership Forum. 

If I nominate a Fellow, does my university need to attend the NVLF Leadership Forum?

We are seeking to support schools that are actively working toward improving programming, services and opportunities for all military-connected students. We encourage our affiliated institutions to attend the Leadership Forum, especially if a Fellow will be representing the university at the Forum. However, attendance is not currently a requirement for nominating a fellow.