Frequently Asked Questions

The Fellows program curriculum focuses in three areas: personal leadership development; cross sector leadership skills, and models and practices of cross sector collaboration. To learn more about this, visit: Curriculum.​

The program's goals are that Fellows:

• Grow in their individual leadership development; valuing, understanding, and application of cross sector leadership skills; and in their familiarity and understanding of the practice and models of cross sector collaboration.
• Apply what they are learning to advance the work of their cross sector project.
• Believe that all the programming is designed and delivered in a clear, logical, and engaging way.
• Develop strong, supportive, and candid relationships with each other and with guest speakers and faculty.

There are many things that make the Fellows program a profound experience, but here are three things that make it truly unique:

1. Cross Sector Leadership and Collaboration - While there are many fellowships, leadership development programs, and executive education opportunities to choose from, the Pepperdine Cross Sector Leadership Fellows' program focus and curriculum is exclusively about building practitioners' capacity to do the work of cross sector leadership and collaboration in order to solve complex problems.
2. Practitioner Focus - In addition to building Fellows' capacity to practice cross sector leadership, the program supports the advancement of each Fellows' cross sector project. As a result, for the majority of the program, the learning is framed in order to enable Fellows to learn, explore, and "try on" practices and strategies within their own cross sector projects.
3. The Cohort - Upon completing high school, college, or graduate school, it's rare to be learning alongside people of widely different demographics, expertise, and industry/sector experience. The Fellowship's intention around creating a diverse cohort is the foundation and source of much of the rich learning and relationship-building that happens throughout the program.

During each of the months of the in-person Learning Experiences, Fellows will spend four full days together. For the other months that comprise the Fellowship, they should estimate spending about 10 hours per month engaging in additional learning, reading, and networking.

The Fellows Program has become one of the School of Public Policy mid-career professional certificate programs. In this, it joins similar training and certificate programs already offered by our Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership.