3M National Student Fellowship 2015 Award Presented by: Brad Buie and M National Student Fellow, Tye Landels

Overview of the 3M National Student Fellowship M National Student Fellows: UVic, Western University x 2, St. Lawrence College, Mount Allison University, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Quest University University of Toronto at Scarborough, Brock University 3M National Student Fellowship honours up to ten full-time undergraduate students each year. Fellows demonstrate “outstanding leadership in their lives and at their university… embrace a vision of quality education that enhances their academic experience and beyond.”

Overview of the 3M National Student Fellowship Fellows receive $5000, plus an invitation to the STLHE annual conference in June (plus, contribution to the cost of travel and accommodation). Opportunity to develop a cross-Canadian collaborative project the goal of enhancing teaching and learning at the post- secondary level.

Eligibility of the 3M National Student Fellowship You are enrolled full-time in a post-secondary undergraduate college or university diploma or degree program at a Canadian institution. You are enrolled in your first undergraduate program. You are neither in your first year nor your final year of your program.

Application for the 3M National Student Fellowship greatest challenge is defining and demonstrating educational leadership. Nominee is “brought to life” through concrete evidence. The nomination should be a unified, narrative of yourself as learner, thought-provoker, visionary, and active community member. Demonstrate creativity, distinctiveness and leadership. Nominator “makes a case” for the applicant’s leadership profile by connecting the material within the package.

Application Checklist for the 3M National Student Fellowship Internal Selection Abridged ApplicationAdjudication Weight 1.Nomination Letter18 2.Definition of Leadership (500 words)18 3.Challenges in Post-Secondary Education (500 words)18 4.Transformational Educational Experience (500 words)18 5.Unofficial transcripts for previous year of program18 6.Awards and recognition10

List of attributes of past award winners Breadth of impact Proactive Leads by example Transformative Volunteer Active involvement Passionate Generous Change agent Role model Inspirational Community builder Students who take full advantage of learning opportunities in and outside the classroom

Articulating your leadership How to connect to you!

Three “C” Framework of Leadership (Gandz et al., 2010) – Character, Competencies, and Commitment – these three domains define leadership – Leaders must be Competent, be Committed to a leadership role and the hard work that comes with it, and finally exhibit strong leadership Characteristics, such as integrity, courage, and knowledge.

What is important in academia today? Collaboration Interdisciplinarity Diversity Experiential learning Integration of Research and Learning

Tips Focus in your examples of leadership on the effects on others - who benefits from that leadership. Ensure that the letter of nomination and any additional letters of support do not simply repeat.

Tye Landels M National Student Fellowship Award Recipient

STLHE 2014 Awards Ceremony, Kingston

STLHE 2014 Plenary III, Kingston

Tye’s application tips Work closely with your nominator Express yourself with humility and confidence Share your passion and enthusiasm Plan ahead (time flies!)

2015 National Student Fellows Vancouver B.C. © Karen Young

Schedule meetings with your nominator to dig deep into the material Set mini-internal deadlines to send completed drafts for revision Talk to friends, mentors, professors, teaching- assistants about the challenges & solutions for higher education — let your essays come to life! Invest time in asking for reference letters (e.g. olarshipapps/)) olarshipapps/ Navi’s application tips

Oct 22 Contacted by nominator Nov 4th UVic information session & met with nominator Nov 24th UVic internal deadline! Nov 7th Sent completed first draft to nominator Nov 6th Sent drafts of sections to friends & family for feedback Nov 17th Sent second draft to family & friends to help review Nov 20th Second meeting with nominator Also…Time flies! Oct 29 Contacted potential referees Here was my 2014 timeline:

Good Luck! “Applying for the NSF is perhaps like voting in this year’s national election. By asking tough questions, seeking solutions, challenging the norms, and dreaming of what is possible — completing this application is saying YES! to deepening and strengthening post-secondary education. You each have immensely important perspectives to share, and I really think you will get a lot out of investing in this application process. For me, it was the cartilage that linked together my experience and my hopes for the world!” Navi Smith, UVic Biology Student M National Student Fellow

Questions? Brad Buie – Tye Landel – Navarana Smith –