AmeriCorps Alums Segal Leadership Award

What are the qualifications to apply?

Potential candidates for the 2021-2022 AmeriCorps Alums Segal Leadership Award will meet the following criteria: 

• Have demonstrated strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills while serving in AmeriCorps
• Commitment to advancing diverse, inclusive, and equitable  strategies in their communities
• Have successfully completed an AmeriCorps service year position between August 2018 and August 2021
• Seek meaningful participation as a lifelong Segal Fellow in the Eli J. & Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program
• We welcome a diverse pool of applicants!

Expectations and Benefits of Selected Awardees

Benefits and expectations of being selected for the AmeriCorps Alums Segal Leadership Award

• Cash Award: Receive a $2,000 cash award to further your leadership and professional development (anticipated delivery in Q1 2021). 
• Segal Fellowship: Be an active participant in activities of the Eli J. & Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program at Brandeis University, a national network which aims to inspire, support, and enable new generations of leaders and promote citizen leadership. During their first year, awardees are expected to participate in this program through:
  • Mandatory attendance in virtual monthly Segal Program professional and leadership training and events from Oct 2021 to May 2022.
  • Meaningful connection with their Segal near-peer “buddy” (year one), their Segal Coach (year two), and the larger Segal network of 130 Fellows and 600+ partners (lifelong).
  • Participation in Segal events throughout their lifetime and career, after June 2022 (networking events, service opportunities, biannual retreat, monthly webinars, etc).
• Service Year Alliance Network: Stay connected to AmeriCorps Alums and the Service Year Alliance network through your choice of opportunities:
  • Write a blog post about your service year experience.
  • Attend a Hill Day or congressional office visit when available. 
  • Write a letter to the editor about the importance of service year opportunities.
  • Act as a mentor to a prospective or currently serving service year corps member.

About the Eli J. & Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program

Eli J. Segal has been described as the "father of AmeriCorps.” He served as the first CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and under his leadership AmeriCorps was created. To honor Eli, and build upon his legacy, AmeriCorps Alums gives the AmeriCorps Alums Segal Leadership Award to recognize the achievement and potential of an outstanding alum whose work, after completing their service in AmeriCorps, demonstrates entrepreneurial vision and leadership to make this a better world.

Being awarded the AmeriCorps Alums Segal Leadership Award automatically enrolls the awardee as a lifelong Segal Fellow in the Eli J. and Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program. The Segal Program provides emerging leaders an opportunity to join a community of other like-minded changemakers. These leaders collaborate across sectors and topic areas to break down silos and create solutions in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

There are over 130 inspiring, diverse, and multi-generational fellows who are already leaders in their communities, as well as a network of over 6500 Founders and program partners. In addition to joining through AmeriCorps Alums @ Service Year Alliance, Fellows gain entry into the program through partnerships with diverse leaders from Brandeis University, City Year, and the Corporation for National and Community Service, and Service Year Alliance. For more information about the program, please visit segal.brandeis.edu. 

How to Apply

Submit the following documents to alums@serviceyear.org with subject line “Segal Leadership Application - First Name, Last Name” by August 23, 2021 at 5 pm EST. No late applications will be considered.

Documents to include: (each document included below should be in PDF format)

1. Resume (maximum of 2 pages):
   • Resume should not exceed 2 pages and should include the experience that best speaks to your qualifications as a Segal Fellow 
   • Please include your current residence on the resume 
2. Short Answer Questions (each response should not exceed 300 words): 
   • Describe a time when you demonstrated strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. What did you learn from this experience? 
   • What value do you hope to bring to the Eli J. & Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program?
   • What does inclusion and equity mean to you?
   • What else do you want us to know about you?
3. Two References  (at least one of your references should be someone you know from service like a manager or peer) - Example: [Ellie Mist, Former Team Leader, City Year, 444-444-4444)
   • Name of reference (first and last)
   • Relationship to reference (ex: former team leader or program manager) 
   • Organization where you worked together (ex: City Year)
   • Phone number 
4. Proof of service: 
   • Visit my.americorps.gov for proof of service letter or other signed documentation. 
   • Documentation submitted should show a verified date of service.