The SAQ Fellowship is designed for education professionals who want to sustain, refine, and expand equitable enrollment and school performance systems in their regions. Ideal candidates come from a variety of enrollment-related jobs including, but not limited to: directors of enrollment, admissions managers, directors of community engagement, directors of data management, communications specialists, directors of school performance, program and policy development advisors, and directors of school quality measurement. Previous Fellows have worked at school districts, charter management organizations, state agencies, and nonprofits that assist families with school enrollment, report school quality, and/or advocate for a better and more inclusive system.
The Fellowship is open to individuals who work in systems at all stages of the enrollment spectrum, ranging from decentralized to fully unified. We encourage anyone who is currently leading, implementing, or researching enrollment policies to apply. Fellows’ diverse backgrounds in enrollment stages, geography, and organizational roles enrich each cohort.
Applications for the 2025–2026 Fellowship are now open and will close on July 9, 2025.
“The most valuable aspect of the program was the opportunity to question, grow, and support fellow participants in fostering equity within their respective school systems.” Damyionne Brown, New Schools for Baton Rouge, 2023-2024 Fellow
All activities are designed with working professionals in mind and can be completed in addition to regular professional responsibilities.
Programming
Perks
Other expectations
What is the Fellowship's timeline?
The Fellowship starts with an in-person Kickoff event in the fall. It concludes in early summer with the City Learning Visit and a written reflection of each Fellow’s accomplishments.
When and where are the events?
The location of the in-person events varies by cohort. Fellows will be polled and notified of the event dates and locations in advance. Some events may be hybrid or virtual only.
What are some examples of past topics?
In recent cohorts, we have covered many topics, such as how to: improve equity in Fellows’ cities, use enrollment data to drive decision-making, develop more equitable and accurate school quality measures, engage the community to foster equitable enrollment, increase access to early childhood education, unify enrollment for after-school programs, improve relationships between districts and charters, address declining enrollment, and more.
What if my region hasn’t yet started unified enrollment?
Everyone is welcome to join. We think that the diversity in current enrollment practices is an asset to this Fellowship – Fellows can learn from one another about potential challenges and opportunities.
What is the estimated time commitment as a Fellow?
Fellows are expected to attend a two day Kickoff, a two-day City Learning Visit, two hour-long webinars (out of three), and attend monthly challenge sessions. Fellows are also expected to dedicate several hours throughout the Fellowship to completing a capstone project of their choosing and preparing a short presentation on their efforts. Fellows will also submit a summary of accomplishments upon the conclusion of the program.
Who do I contact with questions?
Please reach out to tgerstle@mitblueprintlabs.org with any questions.
Is there any financial obligation associated with the Fellowship?
There is no fee associated with the Fellowship, though Fellows (or their organizations) are expected to cover the costs of travel and lodging for both in-person events. Five travel scholarships are available based on need and merit to cover up to $1,200 in travel and lodging expenses for each event.
What is the capstone project?
Fellows will commit to a project of their choosing related to enrollment or school performance (e.g., implementing a new school quality measure, pursuing an enrollment policy change). Periodically, Fellows will report on their progress, culminating in a 5-minute presentation about their accomplishments at the end of the year.
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