Purpose

The Presidential Leadership Fellows Program represents a strategic investment in talent management by identifying high-potential individuals and equipping them with leadership experiences that foster institutional knowledge, ethical decision-making, and civic responsibility. From a succession planning perspective, the program contributes to the long-term sustainability of leadership within the institution by preparing future leaders who are aligned with William & Mary’s core values and principles.

The Fellowship aims to ensure that when leadership transitions occur, the university has a strong bench of prepared, internally developed candidates. The Presidential Leadership Fellow Program functions as a pipeline for developing future institutional leaders. 

The William & Mary Presidential Leadership Fellowship is intentionally designed to provide cross-training exposure across institutional units through a site placement, allowing fellows to understand how the institution operates beyond a single office or discipline. Rather than remaining siloed in one department, fellows gain experience through structured interactions, collaborations, and projects with offices they may not otherwise encounter in a traditional role.

At its core, the program is designed to identify, develop, and elevate high-potential leaders within the institution. It creates structured opportunities for fellows to:

• Build leadership competencies aligned with institutional values and strategy
• Engage directly with institutional strategy and priorities
• Develop cross-campus relationships and systems thinking
• Learn from senior leaders and executive decision-making

Rooted in William & Mary’s enduring legacy as a cradle of leadership, the Presidential Leadership Fellowship develops the next generation of effective leaders whose talents and service will advance the university’s tradition of national preeminence and societal impact.