Apply to the MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship

SAQ is designed for education professionals who want to sustain, refine, and expand equitable enrollment systems in their regions. Ideal candidates come from a variety of enrollment-related jobs including, but not limited to: directors of enrollment, admissions managers, directors of community engagement, directors of data management, communications specialists, and program and policy development advisors. Previous Fellows have worked at school districts, charter management organizations, state agencies, and nonprofits that assist families with school applications and advocate for a better and more inclusive system.

The Fellowship is open to individuals who work in systems at all stages of the enrollment spectrum, ranging from decentralized to fully unified. We encourage anyone who is currently leading, implementing, or researching enrollment policies to apply. Fellows’ diverse backgrounds in enrollment stages, geography, and organizational roles enrich each cohort. 

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“The most valuable aspect of the program was the opportunity to question, grow, and support fellow participants in fostering equity within their respective school systems.Damyionne Brown, New Schools for Baton Rouge, 2023-2024 Fellow

What does the Fellowship entail?

All activities are designed with working professionals in mind and can be completed in addition to regular professional responsibilities.

Programming

  • One-year commitment, with frequent learning opportunities
  • Kickoff: Meet the cohort of Fellows at MIT in the fall
    • Some Fellows present at the Kickoff
  • Webinars: Learn about specific enrollment problems of practice (attend at least two of three)
  • City Learning Visit: Visit a city with established enrollment systems and practices
  • Case consultancies: Attend monthly Fellow-led sessions
  • Office hours: Monthly opportunity to meet 1:1 with enrollment and research experts

Perks

  • Access to policy & research experts
  • Networking events
  • Lectures & panels
  • National peer community
  • Individual coaching
  • Travel reimbursement for in-person events up to $1200
  • And more!

Other expectations

  • Upon conclusion of the Fellowship, submit a summary of accomplishments
  • Fellows continue to work full-time at their education organization and receive no additional compensation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Fellowship's timeline?

The Fellowship starts with an in-person Kickoff event in the fall. It concludes in early summer with the City Learning Visit and a written reflection of each Fellow’s accomplishments.

When and where are the events?

The location of the in-person events varies by cohort. Fellows will be polled and notified of the event dates and locations in advance. Some events may be hybrid or virtual only.

What are some examples of past topics?

We strive to make the learnings relevant and reflective of the needs of each cohort. We have covered the following topics in recent cohorts, how to: address equity in Fellows’ cities, use enrollment data to drive decision making, engage community to foster equitable enrollment, include early childhood education, unify enrollment for after-school programs, improve relationships between districts and charters, engage stakeholders, address declining enrollment, and more.

What if my region hasn’t yet started unified enrollment?

Everyone is welcome to join. We think that the diversity in current enrollment practices is an asset to this Fellowship – Fellows can learn from one another about potential challenges and opportunities.

What is the estimated time commitment as a Fellow?

Fellows are expected to attend a full-day Kickoff, two hour-long webinars (out of three), attend monthly case consultancies, present once throughout the Fellowship, and submit a summary of accomplishments upon the conclusion of the program.

Who do I contact with questions?

Please reach out to tgerstle@mitblueprintlabs.org with any questions.

Is there any financial obligation associated with the Fellowship?

No, there is no direct financial obligation associated with the Fellowship. Fellows will be asked to travel to Cambridge for the kickoff event and to another destination for the City Learning Visit, but travel expenses will be reimbursed up to $1200 for each event.

Research