Student Fact Sheet

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  Philosophy specialization only)
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The Trinity Fellows Program intentionally integrates graduate coursework with professional experience. Throughout the fellowship, Fellows are encouraged to connect classroom learning with their agency placements, using each experience to inform and strengthen the other. 

• Leadership for Social Innovation & Systems Change Thinking: 
  Apply systems thinking, root cause analysis, and social innovation to better understand and address complex social challenges.
• The Nature of Cities: Examine the history of Milwaukee and American cities to better understand how historical, cultural, economic, and policy decisions continue to shape communities today.
• Social Justice & Social Activism: Explore social justice movements, identity, and leadership through reflection, dialogue, and the study of historical and contemporary movements for change.

Fellows gain professional experience through a 21-month placement with a Milwaukee-area nonprofit organization. Placements provide substantive, project-based work that supports both organizational needs and Fellows’ professional development.

Fellows work at their agencies 18 hours per week during the academic year, and 37.5 hours per week during the summer between academic years

How Placements Are Matched

Incoming Fellows review participating organizations applications and interview with 1-4 potential placement sites. Matches are based on mutual fit, considering factors such as:

• Professional interests and career goals
• Academic background
• Organizational needs
• Fellow and agency feedback

What Fellows Do

Capacity building projects vary by organization and may include program development, communications, research, community engagement, evaluation, fundraising, advocacy, or other mission-driven work.

• American Red Cross   
• Benedict Center         
• City Year Milwaukee     
• Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
• Department of Children and Families
• Harbor District   
• LOTUS Legal Clinic   
• Milwaukee Public Library
• Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
• Milwaukee Succeeds 
• Neu-Life Community Development 
• NextDoor
• Radio Milwaukee 
• Riverworks Development Corporation   
• Secure Futures
• VIA CDC 
• Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation         
• Walnut Way       
• WAVE Educational Fund
• WellPoint Care Network 
• Wisconsin Sustainability Council  

Deeper Understanding of Self and Leadership
Develop greater self-awareness, reflective practice, confidence, and an understanding of different approaches to leadership.

Building Community
Build meaningful relationships across the cohort, professional networks, and alumni community while learning from people with different lived experiences.

Raised Social Consciousness and Awareness
Apply systems thinking and an understanding of historical, cultural, and social contexts to issues of social and economic justice.

Capacity Developed and Embodied
Build and apply professional skills, navigate workplace challenges, and contribute meaningfully to organizational needs.

• Full-Tuition Scholarship: Covers up to 36 graduate credits. Tuition rates vary by graduate program.
• Living Stipend: Fellows receive a living stipend paid bi-weekly throughout the fellowship to assist with living expenses.
• Professional Development Funding: Fellows receive $400 per academic year to support conferences, workshops, certifications, and other professional development opportunities.
• Health Insurance Reimbursement: Fellows may receive up to $400 per semester toward health insurance expenses.
• Milwaukee County Bus Pass: Fellows receive a Milwaukee County bus pass each semester throughout the fellowship.

Estimated financial support is based on current tuition rates and fellowship awards and may vary by graduate program.

In addition to financial support and the core fellowship experience, Trinity Fellows have access to resources and opportunities that support their professional development and connection to the Trinity community.

• Alumni Network: Connect with Trinity Fellows alumni across Milwaukee and beyond.
• Professional & Community Connections: Build relationships with nonprofit leaders, community partners, and other professionals.
• Trinity Student Lounge: Access dedicated space for studying, connecting, and spending time with other Fellows.
• Leadership & Social Justice Community Library: Access books and resources related to leadership, nonprofit work, social justice, and community engagement.
• Community Events: Participate in annual Trinity events and other opportunities to connect with Fellows, alumni, and community partners.
• Fellow-Led Social Activities: Connect with your cohort through activities organized by the Trinity Fellows Social Committee.

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements by August 2027:

• Complete a full-time service program OR Complete at least two years of post-undergraduate employment in the nonprofit sector.

• Experience impacted by federal funding cuts? If your service or nonprofit experience has been affected by federal funding cuts since January 2025, we still encourage you to apply. Please include a brief explanation in the “Full-time service and/or nonprofit experience” section of your application.

This list is not comprehensive. Please contact Trinity Fellows with any questions.

We invite those who meet our eligibility requirements and those who demonstrate the following to apply to the Trinity Fellows Program:

• Are passionate about social and economic justice
• Are committed to personal leadership development and accountability
• Want to discover or explore vocation or purpose
• Understand the importance of engaging in critical self-reflection and life-long learning
• Want to advance, connect and support the next generation of innovative problem-solvers and community leaders
• Want to strengthen and develop the capacity and infrastructure of Milwaukee-based nonprofits and public organizations
• Want to contribute to and build a more just Milwaukee

Eligible candidates have successfully graduated with a bachelor's degree and have proven their commitment to social justice and service by either completing a full-time service program OR have worked 2+ years full-time with a nonprofit organization, with a minimum of 1 year at one organization consecutively.

The length of full-time service commitment should be no less than 10 months; 1+ years preferred.  There is no time limit between close of service and application to our program.

To be eligible for the Trinity Fellows Program, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident, or DACA recipient of the United States.

An ideal candidate submits 1 academic letter and 1 professional letter of recommendation. Your professional letters should be from someone in a supervisory role related to your full-time volunteer service or non-profit experience.

We know many applicants have been out of school for some time and it may be more difficult to obtain the academic letters. We strongly encourage applicants to do their best to secure these letters. Academic letters are important, as they demonstrate your ability to succeed academically above and beyond your transcripts and test scores. Each academic program sets their own admission requirements, so it is important to also follow their guidelines

Upon being awarded, Fellows will participate in a 30-minute informal interview with staff to assess their interests, skills, and preferences related to their placement. Each Fellow will also review the Host Organization applications and rank them according to preference. Additionally, host organizations will review Fellow applications and rank Fellows according to preference. Based on these rankings, Fellows will have 2-3 interviews with potential host organzations. The Trinity Fellows matching committee will then select the Fellow's placement.  Placement at a host organization is mandatory component of the Fellowship and while there may not be a "perfect" match, the matching committee seeks as many points of alignment as possible between Fellow and placement.

No, but we are committed to providing professional development support to each Fellow during and after completion of the Trinity Fellows Program. Graduates are part of a strong alumni network and are in a strong position to compete for jobs upon graduation.

We do not offer Trinity Fellowships for dual degrees or Ph.D programs at this time.

We do not offer part-time fellowships.  Ours is a firm full-time 21-month study/work model, with Fellows expected to complete their Master’s Degrees in two academic years. 

Given that Milwaukee is a stakeholder of the Trinity Fellows Program, all Fellows are expected to live in the Metro-Milwaukee area during the Fellowship. The majority of Trinity programming, academic programs, and host organization's responsiblities will take place in-person.

Those who are not selected are welcome to reapply again to the Trinity Fellows program.