FAQs for MLTI Applicants

  • The Multipartisan Leadership Training Initiative is a year-long, student-run fellowship empowering campus club leaders with the skills to navigate differences with curiosity and improve their organizations.

    The MLTI fellowship focuses on three questions: 

    1. Why is it hard to have a curious approach to difference and disagreement? 

    2. Why is it worthwhile and important nonetheless? 

    3. How can we cultivate such an approach in our student organizations, and on our campus? 

    MLTI builds campus-based cohorts of student leaders from different universities, teaches an interdisciplinary method of approaching difference with curiosity, and empowers its fellows to create and implement programming promoting this approach in their own communities.

  • The fellowship will include introductory programming in May (in-person on campus) and July (on Zoom). During the academic year, fellows will meet in person once for a three-day, all expenses paid training retreat in September, and then again via Zoom in February. In between these gatherings, students will work on their campus independently with the support of IME staff, designing and implementing programming within their student organizations, and across campus.

  • The MLTI fellowship begins with an all-expenses-paid retreat in the fall, led by fellow students, featuring workshops, mentorship, opportunities for reflection and individual growth, and collaborative activities focused on constructive disagreement, fostering emotional resilience, tools for community building, narrative storytelling, and more. The retreat will also feature an exciting guest speaker, a social activity Saturday night, and bonding and networking opportunities. 

    After the retreat, fellows will identify an aspect of the training that would benefit their student organization, and, with an IME student mentor, design and lead a program around that aspect, tailored to their organization, in the fall. For instance, a newspaper editor may choose to design a workshop for her interviews team, inspired by the fellowship module on active listening and intentional questioning, to help the team produce stronger interviews and engage subjects from a wider range of perspectives. Similarly, a fraternity leader may be inspired by a workshop on narrative storytelling to build community, and create a storytelling evening event for his fraternity to strengthen their understanding of each other.

    The fellows cohort will then participate in a winter retreat, where they will reflect on their projects, learn from each other, and begin to design campus-based capstone projects to engage the broader community in their learning. Institute for Multipartisan Education (IME) mentors will work with students to identify an ambitious project, such as a student conference or curricular supplement, and work with them as well as key campus stakeholders to make it a reality in the spring.

    Fellows will receive a $1,000 stipend for their participation, and may return as trainers the following year.

  • MLTI is a leadership development program focused on building the tools of curious disagreement to strengthen organizations and campuses, and foster productive engagement across lines of difference. You will gain a deeper understanding of why it is hard to have a curious approach to difference and disagreement, and why it is important nonetheless. Then, you will develop a toolkit to cultivate this approach in your student organization, and on your campus. You will have the chance to implement meaningful programming with and for your peers, as well as the opportunity to return as a mentor upon completion of the program. Fellows receive a $1000 stipend for their participation, and an official certification in curious disagreement.

  • Sophomores and juniors at our partner institutions (in 2025-2026, this includes Elon University and Dartmouth College) with upper level leadership positions in their student organizations. All organization leaders are welcome, ranging from the Editor of the Newspaper, to the Program Director of the Knitting Club, to the Vice President of the fraternity, to the Captain of the dance team.

     If you think this program would be a good fit for your campus in future years, contact info@multipartisaned.org

  • Application due: March 1, 2025

    Second round interviews (if selected): Early March 

    Decisions released: End of March 

    First campus gathering: mid-May

    Summer Zoom: mid-July

    In-person retreat: September 19-21, 2025

    Fellows must attend the four trainings (May, July, September, and February), and commit 4-8 hours/month to the program throughout the year.

  • Yes! Fellows will be paid a stipend of $1000 for their successful participation in MLTI for the academic year.

  • Unfortunately, no, MLTI is for students in a student organization leadership role on their campus. Encourage student leaders within your organization to apply and consider applying in future years!

  • Potentially, yes! Please reach out to info@multipartisaned.org and share with us your unique position, and we will get back to you.