2021 Application Guide - Surge Institute
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2021 Application Guide
1. surge mission
2. fellowship description
3. program schedule
4. candidate criteria
5. financial requirements
6. application requirements
7. fellowship timeline
935 West Chestnut Street, Suite 515 • Chicago, IL 60642 • (312) 243-6683 • surgeinstitute.orgsurge fellowship mission
Leaders of color in education matter now
more than ever.
We know the care and education of our youth remains critical, and leadership matters
more than ever. As we’ve all seen, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact
in communities of color, and our nation needs leaders of color who are leading for racial
equity in our schools, organizations and communities. At Surge, we continue to be focused
on supporting leaders of color to be well and to effectively navigate and lead change during
these challenging times.
The Surge Fellowship is the signature program of the Surge Institute. The fellowship is a
best-in-class, one-year program for 20-25 emerging leaders of color in education annually.
For this program, the Surge Institute identifies and supports promising education leaders of
color to dream big, focus inward, know the landscape, and make an impact to transform the
education ecosystem.
The fellowship encompasses a combination of content areas and learning experiences to
broaden exposure, accelerate skill and leadership development, build community, and
support personal and collective growth and healing. High profile leaders in education
and other spaces are faculty members and advisors to the network of Surge Fellows. Upon
completing this one-of-a-kind experience, Surge Fellows have the skills and support
necessary to accelerate their impact, along with a new understanding of the authenticity
and power they bring to the education leadership table.
Eighty-seven percent of Surge Alumni report that because of their experience with Surge,
they have changed policies and practices, created system-level change or started a new
organization to create change. In addition, seventy-eight percent of Surge Alumni report
increased credibility and influence within their current organization.
Ultimately, Surge Fellows consistently leave this experience having developed competency
in a suite of executive skills, such as, organizational management, relationship management,
strategic planning, problem solving, and navigating complex environments. Surge Fellows
also gain a deeper understanding of the history and structure of public education. And,
importantly, Surge Fellows rediscover themselves, their power and their dreams, and
become a part of a community of leaders who see, support and push each other.
2description
The Chicago Surge Fellowship empowers a cohort of
20-25 promising African-American and Latinx education
leaders to transform the education ecosystem.
Candidates for the Chicago Surge Fellowship are and reflection to support our community. And, as we
African-American or Latinx education leaders who all navigate the uncertain future, we will continue to
are passionate about serving communities of color. evolve to meet the needs of fellows. What will remain
They must have earned a Bachelor’s degree and have the same is our commitment to our mission to educate
six or more years of work experience, including an and support leaders of color to create transformative
education or youth-serving role at the time they change in education.
begin the fellowship. These prospective fellows have
demonstrated an ability to make an impact, have As a result of this commitment, more than 94 percent
experience leading complex projects, and may have of Surge Alumni have proactively sought challenging
experience leading teams. leadership responsibilities, including 2019 alum
Terrence Pruitt, who founded Project Restore Initiative,
The Surge Fellowship experience includes a series of 11 an organization that provides consulting, training, and
sessions that are one to two and a half days in duration. coaching services to education institutions aimed at
The sessions are a mixture of professional learning creating more equitable environments and experiences
and personal development, including case discussions, for students. Terrence shared his reflections on his
text-based discussions, collaborative and individual Surge Fellowship journey:
projects, and formal presentations. Some of the Surge
Fellowship trademarks include executive skill building, “When I first began my Surge journey, I was under
personalized coaching, applied learning experiences, the impression that I was embarking on a learning
sharing and bearing witness to leadership stories, and experience solely aimed at increasing my capacity. And
deepening fellows’ understanding of education history while I did learn new skills and added tools to my kit,
and policy, all through a racial equity lens, and to I am so grateful that I had it wrong. I am grateful that
support fellows’ capacities to lead for greater equity. I saw in part and I knew in part. Surge is a locator!
Surge is a tracking devise that helps leaders of color
During COVID-19 and the current time of social first locate the power, innovation, and beauty within
distancing, we have transitioned our sacred physical themselves, and then it ensures that they can always
space to a virtual setting. That said, we recognize that find their tribe. And this tribe is everywhere. This tribe
our work cannot be business as usual, virtually. We sees me. This tribe stands with me, conspires with me,
have assessed the varied needs of our leaders, and have prays with me, and encourages me to love, honor and be
adjusted our curriculum and experience to meet what fully and authentically me.”
is needed during this time. This includes supporting
the development of critical leadership skills that serve Surge Fellows experience a rigorous and time-intensive
leaders well now and will continue to serve them program while also receiving hands-on and loving
well into the new future. Furthermore, while we have support along the way. We encourage applicants to
always been a space of healing and reflection; during apply at a time when they can be fully present and
this time, we are creating even more spaces for healing invest deeply, in order to gain the full benefit of the
experience.
3program schedule
The Surge Fellowship is a holistic experience that
addresses the head, heart, and soul of leadership.
The fellowship begins in October 2020 and concludes in August 2021. It kicks off with a two and a half-day opening
retreat and culminates in a two and a half-day closing retreat and graduation celebration. From November 2020
through July 2021, the fellowship cohort participates in monthly full-day sessions that begin at 7:30 AM and end
at 5:30 PM. Fellows are expected to attend all retreats and monthly sessions, complete pre-work assignments and
meet with their executive coaches two times per month.
During this time, due to COVID-19, all Surge sessions are being held virtually to ensure the safety of our community.
Sessions have also been modified to allow fellows more flexibility to manage the new demands on their time and
energies. And, while we are very hopeful for the time when we can all be together again physically, we will continue
to follow all federal, state, and local government policies, in addition to following the wisdom of the community,
regarding social distancing. Our priority is the well-being and safety of our people.
month themes*
OCTOBER 15-17, 2020** Opening Retreat: Focus Inward: Our Origins are Assets
NOVEMBER 20, 2020 The Matrix: Race, Equity and Impacts on Leadership
DECEMBER 18, 2020 Our Voice, Our Stories, Our Power
JANUARY 15, 2021 Know the Landscape: Great Leaders are Great Students
FEBRUARY 19, 2021 The Matrix 2.0: Reimagining Education for Youth of Color
MARCH 19, 2021 Dream Big: Our Vision for Impact
APRIL 23, 2021 Survivance: Leading Change for Equity
MAY 21, 2021 Collective Power: Culturally and Community Responsive Leadership
JUNE 18, 2021 Survivance 2.0: The Politics of Leading Change
JULY 16, 2021 Make an Impact: Our Courage to Lead
AUGUST 19-21, 2021** Closing Retreat and Graduation: The Power of Authentic Leadership
*Themes subject to change
**October 15 and August 19 programming is evening only
4candidate criteria
• African-American or Latinx leader between the ages of 28 and 40, based in the Chicago area
for the duration of the Fellowship
• Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
• Minimum of six years work experience
• Employed in education or youth-serving role (district, charter, early childhood, college and
career access, higher education, workforce development, advocacy/public policy, philanthropy,
government or non-profit) for the duration of the Fellowship
• Ability to attend all sessions and participate for the duration of the program
financial requirements
• Sponsoring organizations are expected to pay a tuition of $5,000 per fellow for the year-long
program
• Limited scholarships are available for accepted candidates with financial needs. Fellows who
receive a Surge scholarship must give a personal contribution of $500
application requirements
The application for the Surge Fellowship can be found at: surgeinstitute.org/become-a-fellow
To be considered, applications must include the following:
• Completed application
• Résumé
• Two recommendation letters, including one from current supervisor
• Signed Memorandum of Understanding
The deadline for application submission is 11:59 PM CDT on June 15, 2020. The application must be
completed, and submitted online. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Contact
the Surge Institute’s administrative team at chicago@surgeinstitute.org with specific questions.
the surge fellowship timeline
APRIL 30, 2020 | application is available
JUNE 15, 2020 | applications are due (by 11:59 p.m.)
AUGUST 2020 | selection interviews
SEPTEMBER 2020 | cohort announced
OCTOBER 2020 | opening retreat
NOVEMBER 2020 – July 2021 | monthly program sessions
AUGUST 2021 | closing retreat and graduation
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