Paired Fellow Application -

This is the application for a paired Fellows project through our Equity Fellowship. Both partners must submit an application.

Paired Application 2025-2026

About The Insitute for Equity-Centered Leadership
Our Mission
To cultivate future leaders with the knowledge, skills, and commitment to advance health and social equity through community informed service with marginalized peoples.

Our Vision
We envision a society were all people have equitable access to the resources needed to reach their highest potential.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Institute for Equity-Centered Leadership (TIECL) does not discriminate in Fellow selection on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual status, military service, or other non-merit factors. Additionally, TIECL does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all members of the TIECL community.

Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the application process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any application requirements, or otherwise participating in the Fellows selection process or anticipated Fellowship events and activities, please direct your inquires to Program Manager, Brittany Massar at 814-327-0094 or bmassar@pittsburghschweitzer.org. Please note any accommodation requests will not preclude you from acceptance into the Fellowship.

Please note, you cannot save your progress when filling out the online application. You must complete and submit the application in one session.
Demographic Information
I am applying to the Equity Fellowship Class as a:*
- Paired Fellow (120 direct service hours per Fellow and at least 80 indirect service hours combined)
What is the first and last name of your partner?*
Please note that both partners MUST submit separate applications. TIECL reserves the right to accept one, both, or neither student(s) from a paired Fellowship application.
TIECL Expectations and Requirements*
- I acknowledge the following expectations and requirements of being a Fellow.
- Completion of required direct and indirect service hours

- Participation in required events, meetings, and activities

- Completion of required Fellowship documentation
TIECL Events and Activities*
- I acknowledge all of the following required events and activities for being a Fellow.
- Orientation (January 12, 2025)

- Celebration of Service (May 4, 2025)

- Spring Retreat (February 22-23, 2025)

- Fall Retreat (October 11th, 2025)

- Beyond Boulders (January 11, 2026)

- Celebration of Service (May 3, 2026)
Name*
First Last
Preferred Pronoun(s)*
Age*
Ethnicity*
Languages spoken*
Clearances: Do you have any criminal history or any other reason to believe that you will not be able to obtain clearances?*
- Yes
- No
Clearances: If you chose yes above, please explain.*
If you chose no, please put N/A.
Residency: US Resident or Non-US Resident. If you are a non-resident, please indicate your nonimmigrant or immigrant visa category.*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Home Phone*
Cell Phone*
School Email*
Personal Email*
Preferred Email*
Will you be enrolled in a degree-granting program through January 31, 2025?*
- Yes
- No
What year in your degree program will you be during the 2025-2026 academic year?*
When is your expected graduation date?*
Please enter month and year.
School*
Discipline*
Degree Program*
Dual Degree Students: List Other School
Dual Degree Students: List Other Discipline
Dual Degree Students: List Other Degree Program and Expected Graduation Date:
Fellows are required to participate in activities and their service project throughout the year (January 2025 - May 2026). Will you have any significant responsibilities during the Fellowship year that may interfere with your ability to participate in these required activities? Please consider school, work, volunteer opportunities, other responsibilities/commitments, and personal activities that take a significant amount of time.*
- Yes
- No
Examples include: Research projects, internships, rotations, sports, travel, personal life events, caregiving, employment, volunteering, etc. Please note, commitments will not preclude you from being accepted into the Fellowship.
If yes, please describe. If not, please put N/A.*
Please indicate any dates you anticipate being out of the Greater Pittsburgh Area more than 2 weeks and unable to participate in Fellowship activities for reasons other than those listed above.*
Important Project Proposal Information
The Institute for Equity-Centered Leadership (TIECL) supports projects that align with local Health Critical Priority Areas as identified by local health and human service agencies. Current priorities can be found at www.pittsburghschweitzer.org.

Project Proposals should:
- Have direct contact with the population the proposed project serves or works in collaboration with.

- Address either the adverse health outcomes of one of the given priority areas and/or address the root cause of the problem.

- Enhance the services offered by the agency.

- Have an enduring benefit to the agency and its clients after the Fellow's direct service project has ended.

- Be able to be continued or emulated by other students in the future.

- Incorporate the principles of social justice as defined by TIECL with work to bring about health equity. TIECL’s definition of social justice can be found in the ABOUT section of www.pittsburghschweitzer.org.

- Address Social Determinants of Health.

- Include education and/or advocacy.

- Evidence-based practices should be considered in the development of your project idea. Sample Resource: https://health.gov/healthypeople/tools-action/browse-evidence-based-resources
TIECL does not accept proposals for research projects or any service projects requiring IRB approval.
Project Information
Your proposed project must serve an at-risk, underserved, or marginalized population. Describe the target population(s) for your direct service project and include demographic information. Also, explain why they are an at-risk, underserved, or marginalized population.*
Suggested word count: 1,000 characters or less
A proposed project must address either adverse health outcomes of one of the given priority areas and/or address the root cause of the problem. Describe your area of focus and a brief needs assessment for your proposed project. Your narrative needs assessment should identify and analyze the needs of the community and explain why your project is the right solution and approach to meet such needs. Please include local data supporting your needs assessment.*
Suggested word count: 2,500 characters or less
Do you have a proposed community agency or agencies in mind? What communication have you made with them thus far? Note any individuals with who you have communicated with. If you have not identified a possible site, indicate TBD.
Community and civic groups will be considered as partners; however, reach out to TIECL for guidance on engaging these groups for your application. If you would like suggestions for project sites, reach out to TIECL staff prior to submitting your application.

Suggested word count: 2,500 characters or less
Summarize your proposed direct service project. Highlight your objectives and goals and the specific actions you will take to meet those goals. Your narrative should give a clear visualization of what your service project will look like and how your services will be delivered. Projects should not only be a service for a population but work with the population to produce best outcomes. Note how you will work in collaboration with the population to deliver your service. Please note that a goal is the outcome you want to achieve, while an objective is a specific and measurable action that can be reached in a short amount of time, preferably a year or less.*
Note: Applicants choosing to sustain an existing project that was previously supported by TIECL should explain why they are choosing to continue this particular project. Describe the ongoing need for the service and the ways in which the project may be expanded. Also, include a brief summary of the transition plan.

Suggested word count: 5,000 characters or less
Provide a landscape assessment of your proposed project that details other organizations or groups doing the same or similar work. Your narrative landscape assessment should include information on what agencies are currently doing similar work throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Area and how they are addressing the problem. How will your project differentiate services and/or how will you work with agencies to support these existing services?*
Suggested word count: 4,000 characters or less
The Institute for Equity-Centered Leadership defines Social Justice as the ongoing process of striving for equity in order to build an inclusive and healthy community in which all members can thrive. We prepare Fellows to be leaders and advocates who understand the principles of Social Justice, the inequalities of oppressive systems, and what is necessary to create and advocate for positive change. How will your direct service project work to reflect the TIECL's definition of Social Justice?*
Suggested word count: 5,000 characters or less
What is the preliminary time frame for your project, including anticipated start date and end date? What is the anticipated daily, weekly, or monthly schedule of your proposed project? Please note, that projects are not approved for launch until Logic Model and Project Description have full approval from TIECL staff and mentor team. Projects typically begin in April or May of the Fellowship year. In planning a project schedule, keep in mind the required 120 hours of direct service per Fellow.*
Suggested word count: 1,500 characters or less
Do you anticipate the need for outside resources or supplies to ensure your project's success? Outside resources can include, but are not limited to: translation services, interpreters, transportation, production of materials, professional supervision, etc. Please list any outside resources that may be needed and the estimated costs associated with these resources.*
Suggested word count: 1,500 characters or less
How will you evaluate your proposed direct service project to determine whether your goals were met? Please include key performance indicators, which are quantifiable metrics that measure your goals and objectives.*
Suggested word count: 1,500 characters or less
If the need for your direct service project still exists at the end of your Fellowship year, how do you anticipate that your proposed project could be sustained beyond your time as a Fellow?*
Suggested word count: 1,500 characters or less
Indicate why there is a need for two Fellows to design, implement, and/or execute your proposed direct service project. Please include a narrative on what each Fellow uniquely brings to the partnership, and how the components of the service delivery will be distributed.*
Suggested word count: 1,500 characters or less
Personal and Professional Information as it Relates to Fellowship Activities
What are your motivations for applying to TIECL's Equity Fellowship?*
Suggested word count: 1,000 characters or less
What makes you a diverse or unique candidate for this program? Please include (1) skills and experiences you will bring to the Fellowship, and (2) any challenging factors in your background that have influenced your goals and values.*
Suggested word count: 2,000 characters or less
Considering that there are many different types of direct service projects a Fellow could design, what inspired you to develop your particular project idea?*
Suggested word count: 1,500 characters or less
In a personal statement, please discuss the ways in which your participation as a Fellow would be meaningful to your personal and professional development and what it might mean for you to belong to an alumni network of "Fellows For Life".*
Suggested word count: 1,500 characters or less
References
Please list three professional references. References should be current or former employers, professors, administrators, or volunteer supervisors.*
For each reference, please describe your relationship and include their phone number. As a courtesy, please make your references aware that they will be listed on your application.
Please list a faculty member from your current school who would be willing to serve as your Academic Mentor for the Fellowship. An Academic Mentor should be someone with knowledge and experience with either your population or service project proposal. Expectations of an Academic Mentor are listed below.*
Expectations of an Academic Mentor include participation in a monthly virtual meeting with the Fellow and Mentor team, review of Fellow's project documentation and reports throughout the course of the Fellowship, feedback and guidance to the Fellow, and an academic perspective on the Fellows' project design and delivery. Academic Mentors will also be invited to attend Fellowship events; attendance not required, but strongly encouraged.
Please list the name of your Academic Advisor at your institution and include their phone number and email.*
Your Academic Advisor will be asked to fill out a survey, which will be taken into consideration when we review your application. Please make your Academic Advisor aware of the survey before submitting your application.
Please list someone at your proposed site who could serve as a Site Mentor or who has been your site contact. Include name, title, phone number and email. If a possible Site Mentor or contact has not yet been identified, please indicate TBD, and list the steps you will take to identify a contact.*
Site Mentors serve as the main point of contact between the Fellow and the site and oftentimes help to orient the Fellow to the site, clientele, and community. Expectations of a Site Mentor include participation in a monthly virtual meeting with the Fellow and Mentor team, review of Fellow's project documentation and reports throughout the course of the Fellowship, feedback and guidance to the Fellow, and a community-based perspective on the Fellows' project design and delivery. Site Mentors will also be invited to attend Fellowship events; attendance not required, but strongly encouraged.
Experience
Highlight your current and past experience engaging with underserved populations.*
List past and current volunteer and community service experiences, including the name of the agency/organization, approximate dates of service, and a brief statement on your responsibilities.*
List academic record highlights, including institution, degree earned, specialization, and dates of attendance.*
List your hobbies and interests.*
Is there any other information you'd like to share with the Fellowship Selection Committee?
Please utilize this space to highlight anything about yourself that you feel was not covered elsewhere.
Email
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Paired Fellow Application

Paired Application 2025-2026

About The Insitute for Equity-Centered Leadership

Demographic Information

Important Project Proposal Information

Project Information

Personal and Professional Information as it Relates to Fellowship Activities

References

Experience

Learn More

Contact Us

Questions?

Paired Application 2025-2026

About The Insitute for Equity-Centered Leadership

Demographic Information

Important Project Proposal Information

Project Information

Personal and Professional Information as it Relates to Fellowship Activities

References

Experience

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Learn More

Contact Us

Questions?