Believing that it is critically important to enhance the leadership skills of Jefferson Scholars and to deepen the Scholars' understanding of the requirements of responsible citizenship, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation offers a comprehensive array of enrichment activities. These events occur throughout each academic year and during a portion of the summers following each Scholar's first and second years at the University.
Challenge Discovery
At the beginning of their first academic year at the University, all Jefferson Scholars participate in Challenge Discovery. This weekend-long outdoor leadership course not only encourages teamwork and trust, but also builds stronger and deeper friendships among the Scholars. Activities include two days of camping, low ropes work, rappelling, and team-building exercises.
Institute for Leadership and Citizenship
In the summer after their first year, all Scholars participate in a two-week Institute for Leadership and Citizenship designed to foster a deeper appreciation for the art of leadership and the importance of citizenship. Emphasis is given to an examination of differing concepts of leadership and to developing a greater understanding of the challenges, possibilities, and difficulties inherent in the world beyond. Designed by the Foundation and held on the Grounds of the University, the Institute features in-class workshops and a service learning project.
Public Service Fellows Program
The Jefferson Scholars Public Service Program (JSPSP) seeks to broaden and enhance the Jefferson Scholars' commitment to citizenship and public service. The program encourages those Jefferson Scholars who share a passion for politics, American Democracy, international relations, public policy, and the historical understanding of these processes to become Public Service Fellows. The Miller Center for Public Affairs and its faculty will serve as their gateway to the broader world of public service. Public Service Fellows will be directed towards internships at the Miller Center and elsewhere, and engaged in independent research, community service, and Political advocacy. Fellows also will develop programming and other activities directed towards all other Jefferson Scholars with core interests in other fields who also want to become more effective citizens.
European Travel/Study Program
During the summer prior to their third year, all Scholars are invited to participate in a carefully designed five-week foreign travel/study experience. Each Scholar may elect to study at one of three programs:
- “Civilization in Tuscany: A Case Study of Creativity, Continuity, and Change,” held at The Erasmus Institute in Tuscany, Italy. Scholars live in Capitignano, guests of Erasmus Institute founder Michael Aeschlimann, who serves as senior tutor.
- “The Culture of London: Past and Present”, held at Regents College. Scholars are led in this tutorial by U.Va. English professors Steve Cushman and Michael Levenson.
- “Eastward Expansion of the European Union,” which features extensive travel through Great Britain, France, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. U.Va. Commerce professor Brad Brown leads this analysis of the political and social issues related to EU growth.
Following the tutorial, each Scholar has the opportunity to undertake an independently designed inquiry into a topic of personal interest. These projects involve additional travel and research throughout Europe, and the Scholars present their results to the Foundation upon their return.
Enrichment Series
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation hosts a series of luncheons during the academic year at which prominent faculty and alumni address the Jefferson Scholars. Past speakers have included former astronaut Kathryn C. Thornton, noted civil rights historian Julian Bond, Pulitzer Prize winning poet Rita Dove, and former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger.
In the fall of 2004 the Scholars attended a speech at the Darden Graduate School of Business by Jim Collins, the author of Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Other Don't. The speech was followed by dinner and smaller seminars with some of the Darden School's leading faculty.
The spring enrichment program consisted of a panel discussion on "Diversity and Individual Responsibility". |
