UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State students in their second year are now able to apply to participate in the Spark Program, which offers workshops and one-on-one mentorship focused on successfully applying for fellowships.
The program sessions are scheduled for each Tuesday evening from Oct. 9 to Nov. 27, excluding the week of Thanksgiving. Participants will learn about the aspects related to applying to fellowships such as developing a mission statement, requesting strong letters of recommendation, improving critical thinking and writing skills, envisioning the future and how to make the most of their time as an undergraduate student.
As the co-director of the program and student engagement librarian for Penn State, Hailley Fargo said part of her role with Spark is to help students navigate the University.
“The Spark Program is a great way for students to connect with people across campus and begin to chart their path at Penn State,” she said. “Our objective for the Spark Program is to help first- and second-year students gain a more holistic picture of the many resources, opportunities and people available at Penn State. Navigating our institution can be daunting, so we hope that Spark is one way to make that process easier. Our hope is that students involved with Spark gain a greater awareness of opportunities at Penn State, and begin to see themselves as candidates for these opportunities.”
Applications through the University Fellowships Office are already open for entry into the Spark Program and are due by Sept. 14. Decisions will be made by Sept. 21. Find the application here.
First-year students can apply for the spring Spark Program starting in November.
To keep up-to-date on the latest fellowship offerings or to schedule an appointment, visit ufo.psu.edu.
The University Fellowships Office is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.