A selection committee brought together by the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs will review the nominations and select participants. Nominators may nominate a candidate for the Fellows Program by briefly identifying and describing the nominee and pinpointing why the nominee merits consideration, perhaps citing activities, projects, or programs in which the nominee has stood out. Nominators should also include the nominee’s resumé or similar document not to exceed two pages. If possible, nominators should determine whether their prospective nominee or nominees will be available to attend the August workshop.
NominateNominations should be addressed to:
Institute of Government and Public Affairs University of Illinois
1007 West Nevada Street
Urbana, Illinois 61801
ATTENTION: Sue Grace Rominger or via email to sgrace@uillinois.edu
Nominations are due no later than April 8, 2024.
Edgar Fellows have the potential to help lead Illinois in the crucial decades ahead. As part of this initiative, they learn about leadership skills, strategies and expectations through interactive sessions designed to inform and inspire. Among their teachers are former Governor Jim Edgar and others who have excelled in the public arena, as well as researchers and scholars. In addition to the executive leadership-training program, Fellows learn as much from each other as they do through the formal classes. Fellows have opportunities to continue their education through social networking and peer mentoring. Fellows also are invited to join sessions throughout the year designed to brief them on crucial policy issues.
Residents of Illinois who have demonstrated the desire and capability to make a positive difference in their communities and the state are eligible. We are seeking a group from the public, civic, nonprofit and private sectors that reflects the great diversity of our state. Candidates must be able to work well with the other class participants in an intensive five-day training program, which they are required to attend. The initiative generally targets emerging leaders under the age of 40, but there is no rigid age requirement.
As many as 40 up-and-comers are selected annually to become Edgar Fellows. They include leaders from state and local government, community groups, civic organizations and the private sector. Each class includes fellows from Chicago, the suburbs and downstate Illinois and reflects the gender, racial, political, and geographic diversity of Illinois. The Edgar Fellows Program focuses on developing leadership and governing capacity in Illinois. It emphasizes the need to forthrightly address major policy issues without permitting partisan, ethnic and regional rivalries to undermine statesmanship. At no cost to them — other than transportation to and from Urbana-Champaign — Edgar Fellows participate in an intensive five-day executive leadership training program scheduled August 4 through August 8, 2024 on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.