CDI Fellows Program Application Process

The following are the questions that you will be asked to complete in your online application form. We advise that you read them and work on your application in a Word document first, and when ready, copy and paste your responses into the following online form:

Personal Information

• • First Name*
  • Last Name*
  • Preferred First Name
  • Pronouns*
  • Hometown*
  • Email Address*
  • Phone Number*

Academic Information

• • Student ID*
  • Anticipated Graduation Date*
  • Undergraduate Students Only:
    • Major(s)*
    • School (s)*
  • Graduate Student:
    • Major(s)*
    • School (s)*
    • Department

How did you hear about this program?

• • Social media
  • CDI Website
  • Faculty/Staff Member
  • Word of Mouth
  • Newsletter
  • Poster/ Flyer /Advertisement
  • Information Session
  • Other

If you have a recommender, please provide the following information

• • Recommender’s name
  • Recommender’s email
  • Your relationship with the recommender

Application Questions

Please describe, in one or two pages max., an innovative project that you would like to develop on campus around DEI work, e.g., educational series, reviewing, developing and recommending new policies on campus, and conducting a research experiment. Make sure your description does not show any personal identifiers. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word document first to avoid losing unsaved work. Note, that your project does not need to be fully formed and structured at the time you submit your application. When you submit your responses make sure you respond to the questions under the four categories below.

Project:

• What’s your project title? What would your project be? (e.g. an educational program, policy change, research experiment?) What’s the project time frame? Can the project be completed in one semester or will completion take over a semester? Where on campus do you want to implement this project? (e.g. all over WashU campus, at one of WashU schools, at a department, a particular program, or student office? *
• Innovation:
  • To what extent does your project demonstrate innovation in DEI work? Is your project something that other universities are doing? If so, what is different about your project?*

Purpose:

• What do you seek to achieve from this project? How does your project contribute to the development of DEI on campus? *

Planning:

• What’s a general tentative plan, steps, or approach that you would take to implement this project on campus?*

Response to Application Question

• Upload a file *

Resume

• Upload a file *

The CDI is seeking applicants from all backgrounds, schools, academic interests, and academic levels. Five CDI Fellows (two graduate and three undergraduate students, these numbers may change depending on the projects suggested) will be selected in a competitive merit-based process. Preference will be given to very innovative Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) projects that attempt to further DEI work on campus. The program components include a semester for application and selection process; an Educational/Building Skill Phase (a semester of biweekly seminars on diversity and inclusion topics and core skills to execute DEI projects); lastly, a semester of DEI project implementation that will conclude with a program completion celebration in which fellows will present and share their learning and experiences during their project implementation.

• Through this program participants will have an opportunity to launch a brand-new idea that the CDI has not thought about and that is related to diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
  • The new idea can be reflected in projects, educational series, reviewing, developing and recommending new policies on campus, or conducting a research experiment.
  • Projects can be a one-time event or an ongoing project.
  • Projects must demonstrate innovation in DEI work.
  • The project must be related to at least one of the CDI areas of work:
    • Identity and Intersectionality
    • Advocacy and Policy
    • Education and Training
    • Equity Partnerships
    • Innovation/Research
• This program attempts to enhance communication, connection and collaboration among students, university offices, and departments across Washington University.
• This program serves as an opportunity for students to have hands-on experience working in equity, diversity and inclusion, and it would help participants gain a better sense of who they are as individuals within the lenses of diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Develop leadership skills through practical application by designing and leading a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Project (DEIP).
• Develop decision making skills informed by educational session, discussions, and peers or mentor discussions.
• Build community and connection among the Fellows and CDI Staff.
• Establish a network of leaders by the CDI Fellow Peers, CDI program instructors,
  student’s offices on campus, and prominent DEI leaders.
• Form self-awareness of their own identity and authenticity for the purpose of being committed to themselves, others, and their DEIP.
• Have an opportunity for personal, community and professional growth.
• This program can serve as a base for a career development opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in working in equity, diversity, and inclusion space after completing their degrees.