Student Leaders of the Year Fellowship

The Student Leaders of the Year (SLOY) Fellowship Program is designed to recognize and develop CU Â鶹ӰԺ’s most exceptional student leaders. This unique fellowship brings together top students from across Center for Leadership affiliates, offering a transformative leadership development experience. Through our Fellows program, participants cultivate and strengthen their leadership capacities within the CFL’s distinctive blend of a cohort model, specialized training, experiential learning intensives, and individual coaching, while also receiving financial support and exclusive networking opportunities.


Program Highlights

  • Personalized Coaching: Each Fellow receives 10 hours of one-on-one coaching, helping them refine their leadership approach and develop actionable skills. A $5,000 to $10,000 value, learn more about the value of leadership coaching here!
  • Experiential Leadership Intensives: Participate in immersive activities that challenge students to apply leadership theory to real-world scenarios.
  • Leadership Training & Workshops: Attend specialized workshops designed to enhance professional skills, from communication to critical thinking and innovation.
  • Financial Award: Each Fellow receives a $1,500 financial award to support their growth and development.
  • Networking & Ambassador Opportunities: Fellows gain access to exclusive events, meetings with local leaders, and opportunities to represent CU Â鶹ӰԺ at high-profile events.Ìý
  • Close-Knit Leadership Community: A small, diverse cohort allows Fellows to build meaningful connections with passionate leaders from diverse programs across campus.

Program Expectations

  • Time Commitment: Approximately 5-10 hours per semester for training and events, plus 10 hours of coaching in the fall semester.
  • Orientation: Attendance is required at an overnight orientation during the second weekend of the fall semester.

Program Timeline

Fall Semester

  • Experiential Leadership Intensive (ELI): Required overnight orientation during the second weekend of the semester. Fellows will develop leadership competencies such as teamwork, communication, inclusion, problem-solving, and decision-making in a hands-on, challenging outdoor setting.
  • Leadership Workshops: Two required workshops focused on Leading Self.Ìý
  • Leadership Luncheons: Two optional lunches featuring conversations with local leaders, offering Fellows insights into leadership in action and networking.

Spring Semester

  • Leadership Workshops: Two required workshops focused on Leading Others.
  • Experiential Leadership Intensive (ELI): A required weekend-long leadership "hackathon" - not overnight. Fellows will explore an issue impacting the Â鶹ӰԺ community, learn decision-making and design-thinking skills, and work in small teams to propose actionable solutions.
  • Leadership Luncheons: Two optional lunches featuring conversations with local leaders, offering Fellows insights into leadership in action and networking.

Year-Round Opportunities

Throughout the year, Fellows will have the chance to attend, speak at, and serve as ambassadors for CU Â鶹ӰԺ leadership events. These opportunities are optional but provide valuable platforms for Fellows to showcase their skills and engage with the broader leadership community.


Nominate a Student!


If you have questions about the fellowship, please contact us at centerforleadership@colorado.edu.

CFL Student Opportunities