Leadership Prize awardees will research important issues and using the results of that study, develop and implement viable ways to positively address the significant concern. Mentors will help students develop high-quality proposals based on well-defined and important research questions. Once a proposal is funded, faculty mentors will provide prize awardees with research guidance, help identifying any needed changes in their original proposal for impacting change, support in the implementation of the proposed/approved change efforts, and assistance evaluating the efficacy of their work. Mentors will work with prize awardees for three semesters over the students’ junior and senior years.

Who is eligible to serve as a mentor

We believe that it is only possible to give such high quality mentoring to a limited number of students. Therefore, we would prefer that faculty mentors supervise only one Leadership Prize awardee (or Lumen Prize recipient) at a time. However, given the value of having our best faculty mentor our students, we will accept having mentors supervise two research projects at a time, if necessary. Furthermore, typically only full-time faculty or staff holding faculty rank may be Leadership Prize mentors. However, in exceptional cases, applicants may request that the proposal warrants some other member of the Elon staff on long-term contract serve as mentor; such applications will be fully considered on their merits.

Mentor Responsibilities

  • Mentors will assist student recipients in developing an application that describes the issue to be researched, the reasons why the issue warrants intense attention, a plan for a scholarly, in-depth examination of the issue which develops a sophisticated model of causes and context, and a three semester plan of action (including the implementation of the Common Good Initiative based on the results of the research).
  • Mentoring through the full Leadership Prize thus includes: (1) helping students develop appropriate disciplinary or inter-disciplinary skills and knowledge; (2) assisting students in finding and using appropriate resources; (3) supporting meaning making from the research and identifying positive change (Common Good) efforts for their leadership; (4) helping students coordinate the various activities they proposed and holding them accountable for meeting deadlines in a timely manner; and, (5) guiding students in the work habits necessary for success (planning, flexibility, disciplined work patterns, etc.).
  • Leadership Prize recipients must enroll in a minimum of 2 semester hours of LED 4999: Leadership Research (or a research equivalent) for each of the three semesters of the award. Mentors will serve as the faculty mentor for that course registration, holding regular, substantive meetings with their students during the regular academic year. Typically, mentors should meet with their students on the average of at least once each week. Meetings should be substantive and should require preparation on the parts of both student and mentor. In these meetings, mentors should review the student’s progress, address current areas of concern, and provide guidance for subsequent activities.
  • Mentors will help prize awardees comply with Leadership Prize expectations, policies, and deadlines, and communicate effectively and in a timely manner with the Leadership Prize director.