Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program

Dr. Michelle Schmidt, Director of Academic Leadership Programs

The Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program at Moravian University is offered to incoming first-year students who are academically inclined, service-oriented, and leadership-minded. Successful Emerging Leader applicants have demonstrated a record of self-motivation and initiative with regard to their high school leadership and service work. We are particularly interested in rising college freshmen who see service and leadership as contributors to the common good.

Above: Freshmen and Sophomore Emerging Leaders organize education and advocacy events to promote environmental awareness on campus.

Applying for the Emerging Leaders Scholarship

Prospective students’ college applications are initially screened by the Admissions Office for the Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program and are then invited to apply for a renewable, $1,000 scholarship for all four years at Moravian University. Scholarship recipients are required to enroll in a ½ unit seminar in the fall semester of the first year and are encouraged to enroll in a follow-up, ½ unit seminar in the fall semester of the sophomore year. Seminars focus on transformational leadership, service project design, and personal leadership development.

Have questions about the application process? Contact Christina DeJesus, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission, at dejesusc@moravian.edu or 610-625-7854.

Service Projects

Class-designed service projects are created, planned, and carried out by the Emerging Leaders, and change each year based on the passions of the group. Some of the past Emerging Leaders’ projects include educational events timed with National Food Day, creation of a Veterans Education and Awareness Week, and a Hunger Jam and Hunger Banquet during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Service work has reached our campus, local elementary schools, homeless shelters, and elder care facilities. 

The Emerging Leaders are a diverse group of students with varying levels of experience in leadership and community engagement. These are just two of the many Emerging Leaders stories:

Will Dadouris ’21

Biology Major | Economics Minor

For me, success is all about taking the things that I’m passionate about and then sharing them with others. While I love playing lacrosse for Moravian, what makes the game so special for me is my work as the Founder and CEO of ReLax Collections. I created this non-profit 5 years ago to collect and re-distribute new and used lacrosse equipment to individuals and organizations that were in need. Utilizing some of the leadership skills that we developed in the Emerging Leaders program, I have been able to expand my work and broaden the reach of the organization. To date, we have collected over $650,000 worth of equipment and supported over 4,000 student-athletes across the country and around the world.

Alexandria Fries ’20

Public Health Major

I was invited to be an Emerging Leader coming into my first year at Moravian University. At the time, I did not realize how much of an impact it would have on my career at Moravian, but I am so thankful for the program. Not only has it provided me with leadership and service experience, it has given me the confidence and the ability to become an influential member of the Moravian University community. The Emerging Leaders program was a stepping stone for my future positions and opportunities including becoming an Orientation Leader, a sorority sister, a 26 Point Ambassador, and a Writing Fellow. This program is more than a scholarship, it provides the tools and opportunities necessary to make a difference.