Fellowship Program Calendar

Sept. 1

Site application opens.

Oct. 16

Student application opens.

Nov. 22

Site applications due.

December

Site interviews begin. Both new and returning sites apply and are interviewed by staff from the Whitworth Office of Church Engagement. These interviews clarify ministry sites' applications and help in the recruitment process for prospective fellows.

Dec. 3 at 11:59 p.m.

Student applications due.

November-January

The bulk of student interviews will take place during this time. Students apply for the Summer Fellowship Program, schedule an interview, and are interviewed by staff from the Whitworth Office of Church Engagement. These interviews determine both students' acceptance to the program and site placement. At this point, the OCE will be briefed on each ministry's background and mission as well as the qualities that would allow a fellow to thrive in particular ministries. Placements will be made at the discretion of the OCE.

Jan. 19, 2024

Students are offered placements via email. Sites are notified whether an initial placement at their site has been made via email.

Sites begin the homestay confirmation process. This includes selecting possible homestay families for fellows, conducting a confirmation interview for potential homestay families (interview questions provided by the OCE), and providing interview notes to the OCE.

Feb. 4

Deadline for students to accept placement. Students should begin fundraising at this time.

Feb. 11, 1-2 p.m.

Students begin Summer Fellowship Program training and small groups with a training kickoff event on Sunday, Feb. 11. Small group gatherings will begin the week of Feb. 19. The Office of Church Engagement will notify ministry sites with the official fellowship selection around this date. This communication will include a profile of the student(s) placed and contact information to begin communication between the ministry site and student(s).

March 1

Homestays must be confirmed and contact information for homestays must be communicated to the OCE by this date. Site supervisors should watch the provided OCE training video with homestay families on ensuring a successful homestay experience and facilitate an introductory conversation via Zoom between the homestay family and fellow using the introductory questionnaire provided by the OCE.

April 28

Commissioning service for all fellows in Whitworth's chapel. All site coordinators, fellows supervisors and homestay families are invited to attend.

May 1

Ministry site financial contributions and signed Memorandum of Understanding documents are due to the OCE.

Summer 2024

Summer fellowships are 10-12 weeks in length. They begin on or around June 1. Students are required to check in with their assigned OCE chaplain three to four times throughout the summer. Sites are required to use evaluative materials provided by OCE, including conducting a mid-summer conversation with their fellow and a member of OCE staff.

Sept. 2

Post-summer evaluation due.

Questions? Please email Gracey Gonzalez at ggonzalez@whitworth.edu or call 509.777.4434.