In 1989, John F. Kennedy, Jr. started the Kennedy Fellows program for exemplary workers in health, education, and human services occupations. Initially designed for workers that live in New York and attend a City University of New York (CUNY) or State University of New York (SUNY) college, the program has recently expanded to Ireland. The program is designed to help professionalize the frontline workforce and to support the higher education and career advancement of exemplary staff. Fellowship recipients receive scholarships and career mentoring.

During the past 20 years, 800 Fellows have been accepted into the program. They commit to several years of study to complete degrees in fields such as special education, psychology, social work and nursing.

Fellows have gone on to become social workers, teachers, nurses, clinicians and administrators and are currently employed by non-profit organizations and public agencies throughout New York. They play leadership roles in a diversified workforce and have emerged as role models for their co-workers and strong advocates for the people they serve.

For information about eligibility and selection criteria, click here. If you would like further information about the Kennedy Fellows program, please contact Osmin Sullivan-Hewitt.