Use what you learned there to help those most in need here…
The most important aspect of Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship is its ongoing commitment to service.
The Rollins School of Public Health has a very dynamic Peace Corps community. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers pursuing a career in public health provide a unique perspective to the approach and practice of public health and are recognized as a vital part of the student body at RSPH. Many aspects of the PC experience are highly correlated with various topics discussed within the RSPH curriculum that examine populations—at the community, local, national and global levels—with the ultimate goal of improving health.
The Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship Program advances the third goal of Peace Corps to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans by developing and maintaining educational partnerships that place returned volunteers in internships in underserved U. S. communities. It also supports RSPH's mission by creating an environment supporting excellence in service and training of leaders to promote health and prevent disease in human populations around the world.
Fellow Application Process
Fellows are selected as merit scholars for their demonstrated leadership and ongoing commitment to service. All applicants that submit completed applications to SOPHAS by the priority deadline of January 5, 2024 by 5:00 PM EST will be able to apply for this highly competitive merit scholarship.
RPCV applicants interested in being considered for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship are required to submit a supplemental application. An example of the 2024 Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship Supplemental Application can be found here
Eligible applicants interested in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship must indicate their Returned Peace Corps Volunteer status in their SOPHAS application. Once your SOPHAS application is verified and received by Rollins (no later than January 5, 2024). The supplemental application must be submitted no later than January 22, 2024. Awardees will be notified in late-February/early-March.
Financial Benefits
RSPH greatly values the experience, perspective and service of all RPCV students. Those selected as Paul D. Coverdell Fellows receive an award package including: partial tuition scholarship, Rollins Earn and Learn (REAL) award, and a practicum award. The award package is provided to Coverdell Fellows in order to facilitate community-engaged learning programs, including activities on campus and in the Atlanta community.
What does it mean to be a Coverdell Fellow?
Coverdell Fellows are members of the Scholars in Action Program. Per the National Peace Corps Office, all Paul D. Coverdell Fellows are required to complete a 150-hour internship by the time they graduate from RSPH. These hours encompass service to a community partner, contributions to Scholars in Action and the RSPH Community, and professional development:
- Complete 30 Service Hours with a community partner each semester: Collaborate and foster relationships with at least one of our community partner organizations!
- Complete 10 Coverdell Project Hours each year: Choose from a “menu” of projects to work on! Project Menu Items include: Planning and hosting a student organization event, participating in a Scholars in Action Committee, hosting community-building events with Coverdell Fellows throughout Emory University, participating in the RSPH Community & Diversity Committee, and more!
- Attend 6 hours Professional Development hours each year through Scholars in Action: Attend at least 6 hours professional development sessions offered by Scholars in Action. These professional development sessions will take place during monthly Scholars in Action Meetings.
- Participate in the Coverdell Recruitment Process: Collaborate with first- and second-year Coverdell Fellows to select the incoming cohort of Coverdell Fellows.
You may download a one-page document with Coverdell requirements here .
By participating in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program, students will be able to…
1. Learn effective practices for managing programs from start to finish
2. Communicate effectively with diverse populations and stakeholders at the university and community level
3. Learn and practice peer leadership skills in facilitation and mentoring
4. Learn and practice effective team management and group dynamics and through ongoing self-reflection and team accountability
5. Facilitate meaningful learning activities in the classroom and community that make up a complete curriculum
6. Evaluate and assess programmatic success through indicators of self, peer and participant data
7. Identify personal strengths and skills to assist with program responsibilities and ongoing growth and professional development
8. Understand and explain how skills gained through the Fellows program translate to the work setting and ongoing professional development