Melsheimer Fellows Program

With support from Thomas and Michelle Melsheimer, the Melsheimer Fellows Program is designed to offer undergraduate students an important opportunity to serve the local community and become involved in research and legal assistance work on campus.

This two-year experiential learning program is open to rising sophomores and juniors. Each cohort will become deeply involved in the life of the Klau Institute, its faculty, and other students with significant interest in civil and human rights. Those selected for the program will become Melsheimer Fellows of the institute.

Program Design

In the first year, fellows receive a $1,000 stipend and placement, arranged by the Klau Institute, in a community partner organization dedicated to civil and human rights.

In the second year, fellows may choose one of two paths. They will be offered the opportunity to continue their community placements with a stipend or work as paid research assistants for the Klau Institute or with Klau-affiliated faculty.

Throughout their engagement as Melsheimer Fellows, students will enjoy monthly social and educational opportunities with their cohort and select faculty and community partners. Meetings are on Monday nights from 5 to 6:15 p.m.

Application and Expectations

The application for the 2026-27 academic year has closed. The application for 2027-28 will open in spring 2027.

Expectations: Entering Cohort, 2026-27

• There will be monthly meetings with reflection sessions and faculty guest speakers. Meetings are Monday nights from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
• There will be optional meetings one on one with a Klau Institute staff member.
• Students will be required to attend one event related to civil and human rights per semester.
• Those who do experiential learning must complete a minimum of 20 hours a semester to receive the stipend. Some sites require more hours. Those who complete experiential learning will receive a $1,000 stipend paid in two installments.
• Students who are studying away must do experiential learning and receive a stipend. Students who are studying away must set up their own experiential learning and provide an end-of-semester reflection and photo.
• Exceptions are at the discretion of the Klau Institute.

Expectations: Returning Cohort, 2026-27

• There will be monthly meetings with reflection sessions and faculty guest speakers. Meetings are Monday nights from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
• There will be optional meetings one on one with a Klau Institute staff member.
• Students will be required to attend one event related to civil and human rights per semester.
• Those who do experiential learning must complete a minimum of 20 hours a semester to receive the stipend. Some sites require more hours. Those who complete experiential learning will receive a $1,000 stipend paid in two installments.
• Students who do research assistance for a faculty member will be paid $15/hour for a minimum of 4 hours per week and a maximum of 10 hours per week.
• Students who are studying away must do experiential learning and receive a stipend. Students who are studying away must set up their own experiential learning and provide an end-of-semester reflection and photo.
• Exceptions are at the discretion of the Klau Institute.

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