Mandela Washington Fellowship
LSU is proud to announce its selection for the 2nd year as an Institute Partner for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Beginning in mid-June, LSU will host 25 of Africa’s emerging Civic Engagement 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.
Meet the 2024 Fellows
The Mandela Washington Fellows who visited LSU's campus in 2024 hailed from twenty African countries. They are trailblazers in technology, art, and sustainability. They advocate for the rights of women, of people with disabilities, and of those struggling with their mental health. They care for people facing addiction, youth incarceration, and serious medical concerns. And they are shaping the future of agriculture, science education, and opportunities for youth. In the face of humanity’s most pressing needs, they take action – as leaders and problem-solvers. LSU is deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with this remarkable group of Fellows.
Institute Planning Team
The Office of Global Engagement and LSU's Center for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership (CCELL) led the programming for the Mandela Washington Fellows' visit and collaborated with many LSU departments, colleges, and institutes; Southern University leaders and academic units; and a network of Baton Rouge community programs.
The LSU faculty and staff members who directed the program are Dr. Sarah Becker, Academic Director; Laura Dean, Co-Administrative Director; and Dr. Oliver Crocco, Co-Administrative Director (pictured).
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. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org and join the conversation at #YALI2024.