NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP)
Career and Workforce Development NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP) Undergraduate
By mentoring students from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised populations, this semi-structured program diversifies and broadens the pipeline of our profession. Students and mentors apply as a pair. If accepted into the program, students are then known as Fellows and have opportunities for scholarships, on-campus mentorship, and professional development events.
NUFP Mission
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Because some students need more opportunities than others, NUFP creates possibilities and changes the landscape of student affairs and higher education. The mission of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program is to increase the number of historically disenfranchised and underrepresented professionals in student affairs and/or higher education, including but not limited to those of racial and ethnic-minority background; those having a disability; and those identifying as LGBTQ. |
About
NUFP Program Elements
The following are the four main components of the NUFP. Fellows who successfully complete all four components of the program will achieve all of the learning outcomes.
On-Campus Mentorship
At the heart of NUFP is the ongiong exchange between the Fellow and mentor to develop a sense of what a career in students affairs and higher education might be like. Mentors serve a critical role in executing the goals and objectives of NUFP by engaging Fellows in mentoring and networking experiences, providing Fellows with knowledge, insight, and understanding of the professional opportunities available in student affairs and higher education, and creating experiences that the Fellows would otherwise not have.
Fellows and Mentors should meet in a formal advising session at least once a month. One of the first tasks for the two to accomplish is the development of goals for the year, as well as expectations for one another. How often will meetings occur? Are there publications or books that you would like to read and discuss? Is there a particular project to accomplish? Alone? Together? Put the answers to these questions in writing so that there is clarity about the direction for the year. Then, get started.
A research project completed by an alumna of the program indicates that the mentoring relationship is the greatest predictor of whether Fellows ultimately choose Student Affairs as their career path. Fellows should take full advantage of the opportunity to explore the profession with a well-experienced guide, the mentor.
Please see the NUFP Resources website for more specific information, including a goal setting worksheet.
Regional and Annual Conference Programming
Fellows are provided specific programming at NASPA's annual conference, as well as many regional conferences. Various scholarships are available to help defray the cost of attendance.
Summer Internships
Fellows are offered the opportunity to apply and participate in a paid summer internship in student affairs or higher education, at an institution other than their own, as a means of broadening their experience base and their perspective on student affairs and higher education.
More information can be found on the Summer Internships webpage.
Dungy Leadership Institute
Fellows are invited to apply to and attend the Dungy Leadership Institute (DLI), a five-day workshop focused on skill building and career development. Formerly known as the Summer Leadership Institute and renamed after Executive Director Emeritus Gwendolyn Dungy in 2012, fellows have the opportunity to meet and interact with other Fellows and administrators from across the country, as well as student affairs administrators serving as institute faculty, at this event.
FAQs
Who is eligible to participate in NUFP?
Undergraduate students carrying full-time enrollment (as defined by their institution) who identify as being a racial or ethnic minority, or individuals with a documented disability, are eligible to participate in NUFP. Annual application procedures and deadlines are noted on the NASPA website.
I am a full-time graduate student interested in NUFP. Am I eligible to apply?
NUFP is a program specifically for undergraduate students. NASPA supports a Knowledge Community for Graduate Students and New Professionals, which strives to meet the differing needs of graduate students.
How much does it cost to participate in NUFP?
There is no direct required cost to the student or the institution in order to participate in NUFP. The program does require the senior student affairs office (SSAO) of the institution to approve of the fellow and mentor participating in the program, in light of the time staff members spend mentoring Fellows. Many schools also provide some funds for Fellows to attend professional development programs, such as the annual NASPA conference. However, this is not a requirement to participate in NUFP.
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History
The NASPA Minority Undergraduate Fellows Program (MUFP) was initiated in 1989-90 under then NASPA President Doug Woodard. Concerned by the lack of persons of ethnic-minority in the student affairs profession, President Woodard sought to identify ways for members of those communities to become aware of and involved in the field and to continue in higher education. He asked Constance Rockingham, an at-large member of the NASPA Board of Directors, to develop a program that would identify and encourage undergraduate students of ethnic-minority to continue in higher education, and even more than that, encourage them to consider student affairs as a profession. Frederick Preston, a former at-large member of the NASPA Board, had given consideration to the same issues some years before. With the benefit of Preston's experience and Wooodard's encouragement, Constance Rockingham developed MUFP.
Nearly a decade after its founding, discussions began about including students with disabilities within the scope of MUFP. NASPA President Shannon Ellis, National MUFP Coordinator Saunie Taylor, and MUFP Advisory Board President Sarah Shumate worked together during the 2000-01 year to develop consensus for the broadening of the scope of MUFP's mission, and they along with Disability Concerns Network Coordinator Michael Shuttic set in motion the outreach effort.
At the December 2003 meeting of the NASPA Board of Directors, the proposed recommendation was reviewed, discussed and approved: "In recognition of changes in society, the Task Force for Undergraduate Mentoring Opportunities recommends designing and implementing a selective undergraduate fellows program to increase the numbers of underrepresented ethnic minorities, LGBT, and disabled professionals in the fields of student affairs and higher education. The mission of the program will be reviewed every five years with the first review to occur in July 2009."
The MUFP Advisory Board, representatives from six NASPA knowledge communities and others met in July 2005 in order to realign MUFP with NASPA's goals and vision, including the recent NASPA Board of Director decision to expand undergraduate mentoring opportunities to LGBT students. This planning group reviewed at all aspects of the current program, the new program considerations and redesigned the program to continue to support underrepresented students and address changing constituencies.
Advisory Board
The NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program is led by NASPA volunteers who generously devote their time to the program. The NUFP Board Chair provides vision and direction for the program, being nominated by NASPA staff. Regional Coordinators and Knowledge Community (KC) Representatives are selected from the leadership of the Region and KC, respectively. Additional roles on the NUFP Board are appointed by the NUFP Board Chair.
Questions about NUFP should be directed to nufp@naspa.org.
Application Information
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission to the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program, each applicant must meet the requirements listed below.
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Step-by-Step Application Process
Applicants must complete the application fully, including all demographic information and supplemental materials. Note: demographic information will only be used by NASPA to ensure you qualify for the NUFP Fellows program, and connect you with potential affinity groups. Applicants should request their letter of recommendation in advance of the deadline so that it can be submitted with the rest of the supplemental materials.
Before you are able access the application, you will need to log in using your NASPA customer ID. If you do not have a customer ID, you will be able to create one, but do not purchase a membership.
Please make sure you upload each supplemental material within its respective section. All uploads should be submitted as a PDF. We will not accept additional file types.
Supplemental materials include:
- Fellow Questions
- Mentor Application
- Unofficial Transcript or Degree Audit indicating current GPA
- Letter of Recommendation from a faculty or staff mentor who is NOT your proposed mentor
The NUFP 2021-2022 application is now live; the 2nd round deadline is September 30, 2021!
First-time applicant link:
http://apps.naspa.org/cfp/evt_frm_user.cfm?event_id=2662
NUFP Fellow renewal link:
http://apps.naspa.org/cfp/evt_frm_user.cfm?event_id=2663
Events
One of the best resources available to you is the wide range of professional development opportunities. This list contains both our “Hosted Events,” workshops and webinars that we plan and manage, and some “Related Events,” hosted by the NASPA Central Office or other NASPA Constituent Groups. To see a full listing of NASPA events, please see the Events page.
Resources
Please access resources below.
The NUFP Assessment Subcommittee also created the following video to go with the NUFP Mentor Rubric: “Oh the Places We Can Go,” to support the growth and development of our NUFP Fellows: http://youtu.be/21W2mrrfBww.
Summer Internships
The NUFP Summer Internship Program gives fellows an opportunity to gain insight into the fields of higher education and student affairs through a campus-based experience at a campus other than their own. Internships can last anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks, and it is required that host institutions offer a $1,500 minimum stipend, as well as help coordinate the intern's room and board.
Institutions that host an intern create a mutually beneficial arrangement between the fellow and the institution, as well as gain the satisfaction of mentoring a fellow and providing hands-on experience in the fields of higher education and student affairs. Hosting a summer internship also demonstrates a commitment to increasing the number of under-represented administrators in higher education.
An internship allows a fellow to:
- Expand the knowledge and understanding of the fields;
- Increase the network professionals and administrators in the fields; and
- Gain hands on experience.
Hosting a fellow as an intern allows a host institution to:
- Gain the resources of a talented undergraduate student;
- Invest in the personal and professional development of an undergraduate student looking to enter the field;
- Expose an undergraduate student to a new campus experience and additional perspectives; and
- Demonstrate a commitment to increasing the number of under-represented administrators in the field.
Host Application | Fellow Application
1. HOW DO I SUBMIT MY INTERNSHIP POSTING? When is the deadline?
The summer internship application process for 2021 is complete. Please check back in the spring of 2022.
2. WHO CAN HOST AN INTERN?
Anyone that is a NASPA member or who is on a campus with an NASPA institutional membership can host a NUFP Fellow as a summer intern. You do not need to have a current NUFP Fellow on your campus in order to host one in the summer. Your institution can host as many interns as you would like!
3. WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT THAT MY CAMPUS IS MAKING?
By agreeing to host a Fellow(s) on your campus, you guarantee your intern a student affairs experience on a campus other than their own. We ask that you give your intern specific job responsibilities and expose your intern to as many student affairs departments and administrators as possible. We also ask that you help them become more familiar with NASPA and the field.
Internship start and end dates are flexible. You work these out with the Fellow you choose to hire. Most internships last 6-8 weeks during June and July.
We require that you pay your intern a minimum of $1,500 for a 6-8 week internship. While hosts are not required to pay for housing, meals, and/or transportation, we ask that you offer assistanece to your intern as they make arrangements. Please note that positions that are able to cover some of these expenses are much more attractive to candidates.
4. WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
Institutions wishing to host a Fellow submit an internship description online. After the position submission deadline, Fellows are notified of the internship opportunities available and submit their applications online. Each Fellow will rank their top five choices.
After the application deadline, host institutions receive copies of all Fellows' applications and preferences. Host institutions then set-up interviews with the candidates. Most interviews are conducted over the phone but, can be done in person if both parties are attending the NASPA Annual Conference.
Once a Fellow has accepted a position, the Fellow and/or institution must notify the NASPA office of the match. Please email cdougherty@naspa.org to confirm your match.
5. WHAT DATES DO I NEED TO REMEMBER?
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Host Institution application deadline |
Spring 2022 |
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Host Institutions receive applications |
Spring 2022 |
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Host institutions can begin to interview candidates |
Spring 2022 |
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Host institutions can begin to make offers |
Spring 2022 |
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Notify NASPA of internship placement deadline |
Spring 2022 |
1. WHO CAN APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP? WHAT IS THE DEADLINE?
The summer internship application process for 2021 is complete. Please check back in the spring of 2022.
2. HOW DO I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?
The application includes a copy of a current resume and a statement of interest. Please note all applicants must be a current NUFP Fellow to apply. Once the application is open, Fellows are welcome to start populating information into the application at any time. However, all applicants should plan to log back into their application and select their final internship preferences during the designated time.
3. WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT THAT I AM MAKING?
You commit to work for your host institution for a mutually agreed upon length of time. Usually 6-8 weeks during the months of June and July. You also agree upon a salary and other benefits before accepting a position that is offered to you. Institutions should offer at minimum $1500 for a 6-8 week internship. As instiutions are not required to provide housing, meals, or travel expenses, we encourage Fellows to carefully consider the internship duration and benefits prior to accepting an offer. NUFP does not offer scholarship or supplemental funding opportunities for Fellows who accept an internship.
4. WHAT IS THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS?
If you are interested in applying for an internship, you submit your application online. On your application you will have the opportunity to preference your top five positions. Postings will be added throughout the process and Fellows should make their final preferences by Spring 2022.
After the application deadline, host sites will receive a copy of all completed applications. Each institution will review applications and set up interviews with Fellows that they are interested in pursuing as candidates. Most insititutions will have one to two rounds of interviews to select their summer intern(s). Most initial interviews are phone interviews, but some may occur over video chat.
In order to be fair to all candidates, host institutions can not begin making offers until the Spring 2022.
Once you accept a position, you and/or institution must notify the NASPA office of the match. Fellows should refrain from sharing their internship placement on social media until their institution has notified applicants in their selection pool.
5. WHAT DATES DO I NEED TO REMEMBER?
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Internship Opportunities posted |
Spring 2022 |
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Fellow Application deadline |
Spring 2022 |
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Host institutions begin to interview candidates |
Spring 2022 |
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Host institutions begin to make offers |
Spring 2022 |
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Notify NASPA of internship placement deadline |
Spring 2022 |
Dungy Leadership Institute
Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending the Dungy Leadership Institute our Fellows will:
- demonstrate an understanding how their personal identities and histories have impacted their lives and their ability to work with others
- demonstrate that they are able to find ethical resolutions to critical issues in Student Affairs through case study analyses and other assessment activities
- demonstrate through written and oral presentations that they have developed the requisite writing, research, and speaking skills for entry into graduate school
- demonstrate that they have developed the professional networking skills through their interactions with mentors, faculty facilitators, and other Fellows
- examine and develop the cultural cultural competency skills that are integral to the student affairs profession
Dungy Leadership Institute (DLI) 2021 will be virtual. The application deadline is June 15, 2021.
Past DLI Experiences
2016, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
2015, STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
2014, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
2013, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
2012, SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
2011, UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
Photo Forthcoming
2010, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
2009, SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
2008, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
2007, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
2006, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
2005, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
2004, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
2003, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
2002, DUKE UNIVERSITY
2002, THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I AT MANOA
*This program was formerly known as the Summer Leadership Institute. In 2012, it was renamed the Dungy Leadership Institute after Executive Director Emeritus Gwendolyn Dungy retired.
