Mandela Washington Fellowship Program
Texas Tech University to Host 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
Texas Tech University is proud to announce its selection for the 7th year as an Institute
Partner for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Beginning
in mid-June, Texas Tech University will host 25 of Africa’s emerging Public Management
leaders for a six-week Leadership Institute, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, builds skills through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, and networking.
Fellows enrich local U.S. communities while sharing best practices. Visit the Mandela
Washington Fellowship website to learn more about this year’s cohort.
About the Program at Texas Tech
2022 Fellow Ether Bulya Volunteers at the South Plains Grub Farm
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Established in 2014, the Fellowship has brought nearly 7,200 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.
The six-week Institutes support the development of Fellows’ leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration with U.S. citizens. Each Institute also offers insights into U.S. society through site visits and cultural exchange. The Institutes strengthen connections between the United States and Africa and establish enduring partnerships between Fellows, local communities, and private businesses.
Faculty and staff from various Texas Tech departments, including International Affairs, the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences, and the College of Education, participate in the Leadership Institute. Texas Tech also partners with numerous NGOs and local community leaders to offer the Fellows unique and extensive volunteer activities and service projects.
U.S Based Activities & Fellow Opportunities
Leadership Institutes
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership Institutes are comprehensive executive-style
programs designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective
sectors and communities through the themes of Business, Civic Engagement, and Public
Management. Since 2014, educational institutions in 35 states and the District of
Columbia have hosted Fellows for Leadership Institutes.
The six-week Institutes support the development of Fellows’ leadership skills through
academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration
with U.S. citizens. Each Institute also offers insights into U.S. society through
site visits and cultural exchange. The Institutes strengthen connections between
the United States and Africa and establish enduring partnerships between Fellows,
local communities, and private businesses.
Professional Development Experience
Fellows may apply for the opportunity to work with private, public, and non-profit
organizations for up to six weeks, either immediately following their Fellowship or
as Alumni. Both Fellows and Hosts benefit from discussing shared issues and challenges
in their sectors, broadening their perspectives, and positioning U.S. organizations
for international engagement
Professional Development Experiences (PDEs) offer enriching opportunities for U.S. organizations and communities to participate
in a collaborative exchange by hosting young African professionals for substantive
work experiences that explore issues and workplace culture from U.S. and African perspectives.
Both Fellows and Hosts benefit from discussing shared issues and challenges in their
sectors, broadening their perspectives, and positioning U.S. organizations for international
engagement
Reciprocal Exchanges
U.S. citizens have the opportunity to to implement projects in sub-Saharan African countries to continue collaborative work with Fellowship Alumni on the continent. These partnerships and professional connections are intended to form lasting relationships, expand markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Program
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. Texas Tech University is a sub-grantee of IREX and is implementing a Leadership Institute as a part of the Fellowship. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, please visit the Fellowship’s website at www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org.
About
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Established in 2014, the Fellowship has brought nearly 7,200 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.
Mandela Washington Fellowship Program
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Address
601 Indiana Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79409-5004 -
Phone
806.742.3667 -
Email
michael.johnson@ttu.edu