Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

The Ford Presidential Fellows Program connects young individuals eager for mentorship with experienced, mid- and late-career professionals who have demonstrated excellence and service in their fields. Through this program, mentors dedicate at least one meeting per month with their mentee, offering guidance, support, and insights. Mentors may also involve mentees in relevant events and projects, providing valuable hands-on experience.

Our mentorship program bridges the wisdom of experience with the ambition of rising generations. We seek mentors who are passionate about shaping the next generation of leaders by nurturing virtues that are fundamental to a just, humane, and civil society.

Group of professional people talking in front of multiple United States flags at an event.
Group of four people posing in front of a ribbon and wooden doors, with two men in suits and two women, one wearing a "GRCC Raiders" shirt.
A group of people at a professional event, with two women posing for a photo. One woman is holding a smartphone to take the picture. The background features a Grand Valley State University logo on a screen.
An older man wearing a suit with a name tag gestures while speaking to a younger man in a t-shirt and baseball cap. The younger man's shirt features a design with the letter 'M'. They are sitting in front of a wooden wall.