Dean’s Fellows Program
The College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Fellows Program
The prestigious College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Fellows Program is rooted in the Jesuit traditions of Creighton University. In this four-year program, students work closely with the dean and members of the dean's leadership team, building connections with faculty, staff, alumni and students.
The Dean’s Fellows are passionate and engaged servant-leaders in our campus community. They develop their leadership skills through discussion and experiences inside and outside of the classroom.
Dean's Fellows Program Mission
It is the mission of the program to create student leaders who embody the Jesuit Values of Creighton University both on and off campus. Through education, mentorship and outreach, this program seeks to form a community of highly motivated individuals who will learn the skills necessary to go forth and change their community for the better. The program aims to deepen the understanding of the following attributes of Ignatian leadership development: service, Ignatian spirituality, civic and community engagement, inclusion and intercultural awareness, and creativity and the arts.
Incoming Arts and Sciences students are eligible to apply to the Dean’s Fellows Program if they meet one of the following criteria:
- A minimum 3.8 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
- A minimum test score of 28 (ACT) or 1300 (SAT, Math + Critical Reading)
Interested students must apply to the program and complete an interview. Applications are available in your admissions student portal.
Eligibility requirements are assessed on a yearly basis; requirements may change from previous years.
Once admitted, members of the Dean’s Fellows Program must adhere to all policies to remain in good standing with the program. These policies include maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30, attending all program-related meetings and events, and serving as an ambassador to prospective students.
For questions about this program, email the Dean’s Office at ccasdean@creighton.edu or call the office at 402.280.2116.
Fellows in good standing with the program will have access to the following benefits:
- Dean’s Office support for internships and leadership opportunities inside and outside of the College
- Leadership seminars throughout each academic year
- The opportunity to build relationships with upperclassmen through Dean’s Fellows Loyalty Circles
- Eligible for a $1,000 foreign study stipend and a $250 research/professional development grant
- Special invitations to meet and interact with campus speakers and alumni, including the College’s Alumni Advisory Council, which consists of local and national leaders in healthcare, the arts, nonprofits and business
First Year: Who Am I as a Leader?
Discover your strengths, values, and leadership identity. Fellows begin their journey through a special section of the Ratio Studiorum Program, guided by the dean and associate deans. Through a dedicated Critical Issues in Human Inquiry course, CliftonStrengths, academic planning, a retreat, and cohort experiences, students build a strong foundation for understanding themselves as leaders.
Second Year: How Am I Called to Serve?
Explore leadership through service, accompaniment, and advocacy. In partnership with the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice, Fellows examine how leadership can respond to the needs of others and the wider community. Through cohort meetings and service-site experiences, students identify the issues and commitments that shape their approach to meaningful service.
Third Year: Who Am I Called to Serve?
Deepen your understanding of others and lead across differences. Fellows partner with the Creighton Intercultural Center and Department of Student Life to explore intercultural leadership and the communities they are called to serve. Professional development and continued cohort experiences help students grow in their ability to lead with cultural awareness, empathy, and purpose.
Fourth Year: Where Am I Called to Serve?
Put your leadership into action and discern what comes next. Fellows participate in a Senior Leadership Immersion experience in Washington, D.C., or the Dominican Republic, preceded by a four-week seminar. Through the experience, students explore the leader as a change agent while reflecting on their vocation, purpose, and post-Creighton path.
