Thank you for your interest in the Surge Fellowship program, a transformative journey designed specifically for Black and Latinx leaders in Chicago who are committed to making a lasting impact on our communities.

Surge Fellows leave this experience having enhanced their competency in both technical and adaptive leadership skills, including relationship management, problem-solving, negotiation, conflict resolution, communication, anti-racist design, and project planning, management and execution. Surge Fellows also gain a deeper understanding of the sociopolitical and economic context, history and structure of public education. And, importantly, Surge Fellows rediscover themselves, their power and their dreams, and become a part of a community of leaders who see, support and affirm each other.

2025 Chicago
Fellowship Webinar

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Chicago Recruitment and Application Updates

Why I Became A
Surge Chicago Fellow

2027 Chicago
Fellowship Application opened on March 16, 2026

VIRTUAL
OFFICE HOURS

Office Hour 1: April 23, 2026, 2 – 3pm CT (Zoom Link)

Office Hour 2: May 13, 2026, 2 – 3pm CT (Zoom Link)

Office Hour 3: June 4, 2026, 2 – 3pm CT (Zoom Link)

Office Hour 4: June 10, 2026, 2 – 3pm CT (Zoom Link)

 

APPLICATION &
SELECTION DATES

(2027 Cohort)

 

Application Opens: March 16, 2026

Priority Application Deadline: May 29, 2026

Application Closes: June 12, 2026

Selection Days: August 4-5, 2026

Cohort Announcement: September 2026

Welcome Mixer: TBA

IN-PERSON
EVENTS

Save the Date! 2027 Chicago #LeadtheSurge Event: May 12, 2026

 

Surge Chicago 2027 Fellowship Session Dates

The fellowship cohort participates in monthly full-day sessions: 9 AM to 5 PM. Fellows are expected to attend all retreats and monthly sessions.

Session 1: Opening Retreat
October 15-17, 2026

Session 2:
November 20, 2026

Session 3:
December 11, 2026

Session 4:
January 22, 2027

Session 5:
February 19, 2027

Session 6:
March 19, 2027

Session 7:
April 16, 2027

Session 8:
May 21, 2027

Session 9:
June 11, 2027

Session 10: Closing Retreat and Graduation
July 15-17, 2027

For the 2024 Surge Fellowship year, we anticipate a combination of virtual and hybrid monthly sessions, with optional opportunities to gather in-person for social connections. COVID protocols will be in place to ensure the health and safety of all in our community. It is possible that we will be able to thoughtfully and carefully transition our hybrid sessions to be fully in-person (no virtual component) at some point during the year. In doing so, we would follow the wisdom, needs, and risk-tolerance of our community. Our priority is the physical and psychological well-being and safety of our people.

CANDIDATE
CRITERIA

  • Chicago-based education and/or youth-serving leader. The fellowship is designed with the perspectives of Black and Brown communities at the core, because those are the voices and experiences that shape our city’s classrooms and futures.
  • Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
  • Minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership in education and/or youth-serving roles
  • Passion for positively impacting the lives of young people and their communities

FELLOWSHIP
EXPECTATIONS

  • Attend all sessions
  • Complete all requisite pre work before sessions (approximately 5-10 hours per month)
  • Get your supervisor’s support
  • Show up for yourself!

APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS

  • Completed application, including a résumé and responses to four essay questions
  • Two recommendation surveys: one must be from current supervisor
  • Memorandum of Understanding signed by applicant and employer

If you have specific questions, contact Surge at surgeprograms@surgeinstitute.org.