Walking College Fellowship

Program Type: Annual leadership development fellowship program

The Walking College is a leadership development program designed to strengthen grassroots advocacy for safer, more accessible streets. It is a six-month, distance-learning fellowship that pairs participants with experienced leaders in the field and peers working across North America.

Program Focus

The Walking College aims to empower change-makers to:

• Understand the historical underpinnings of the transportation landscape
• Learn the basics of people-first design and policy
• Develop essential organizing and leadership skills
• Create blueprints for taking action on community problems
• Understand connections between built and policy environments and pressing societal challenges

Program Structure

• Duration: Six months
• Format: Distance-learning
• Cohort Size: Approximately 35 fellows per year
• Mentorship: Paired with experienced leaders and peer networks across North America

Past Fellow Projects

Previous fellows have:

• Implemented Complete Streets policies
• Developed walking school bus programs
• Created safe-streets awareness campaigns
• Used arts to make communities more people-friendly
• Conducted comprehensive audits of community surroundings
• Led efforts to achieve Walk-Friendly Community designations

Eligibility

• No age restrictions
• No professional background requirements
• Actively seek candidates with diversity of life experiences
• Must demonstrate basic understanding of importance of walkability
• Must show desire to become more effective in advocating for positive change

Selection Process

Fellows are selected based on:

• Demonstrated understanding of walkability importance
• Desire to advocate for positive change
• Diversity of life experiences and perspectives
• Potential for community impact

Contact

Website: americawalks.org

Program Manager: Emilie Bahr

Application Process

Application Timeline (2022):

• Initial deadline: Extended to March 7, 2022
• Submission method: Online application form
• Selection notification: Following application review period

Application Requirements:

• Demonstrate basic understanding of walkability importance
• Articulate desire to advocate for positive change in community
• Describe relevant experience and life experiences
• Show commitment to six-month fellowship participation

Note: Specific application materials, essay prompts, and submission instructions should be obtained from the America Walks website or by contacting the program manager.