McKenna Fellows | Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership

Are you a 4th year student or recent graduate of StFX? Are you interested in public policy, public service, and leadership for sustainable development? Are you willing to commit one year to further education and training, including a work placement with a government, private sector or civil society organization? Then this program is for you!

Overview of the program:

Fellowship funding of $25,000 to each of five successful applicants
One-week short course training on campus from 4 to 7 May 2021
Minimum 4-month work placement with government, private sector or civil society organization (to be approved and coordinated by you in collaboration with us at the McKenna Centre)
2-day capstone exercise on campus in May 2022

Content:

Initial program at StFX:
- Short courses covering key issues: (i) Climate Change and Environment; (ii) Gender and Social Equity; (iii) Indigenous Rights and Treaty Law
- Work environment boot camp
- Leadership skills training (including guest speakers)
- Field trip integrating all of the content above

Internship/Work Placement:
- Direct experience working with one of:
  - Federal/Provincial/Municipal Government
  - A Private Company
  - A Civil Society/Not-for-profit Organization
- Regular reporting to and discussion with the program coordinator

Capstone exercise at StFX:
- Two-day debriefing exercise involving presentation to other program Fellows, members of the University, the wider community, NGOs, and the private sector

Application Requirements:

This program is open to St. FX students who will either graduate in the Spring of 2021 or will have graduated within the last three years. As a scholarship-based program, the application process is competitive. Those interested are required to submit by email to the program coordinator, Dr. Larry Swatuk, lswatuk@stfx.ca: (i) official transcripts; (ii) an up-to-date resume; (iii) a letter of motivation illustrating particular interests and strengths in leadership, public policy, social equity and sustainable development; (iv) reflections on ‘the ideal’ internship including an expression of preference for government, civil society or private sector.

List of Key Dates:

15 November 2020: info session
15 January 2020: application due
15 January 2021: short list of candidates contacted
7 and 11 February 2021: interviews of short listed candidates
14 February 2021: successful candidates announced
February-May 2021: work placement planning
4-7 May 2021: leadership training program at StFX
Mid-May 2021 – April 2022: work placement (can start as early as 15 May up to Labour Day)
May 2022 (will coincide with graduation): 2-day capstone event