2025 Philadelphia
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Why I Became A
Surge Fellow
2026 Philadelphia
Fellowship Application Opens March 21, 2025
VIRTUAL
EVENTS
April 1, 12-1pm ET | Virtual Lunch & Learn: Surge Academy Philadelphia Informational Session | REGISTER HERE
Virtual Office Hours
APPLICATION &
SELECTION DATES
Application Opens: March 21, 2025
Priority Application Deadline: June 20, 2025
Application Closes: July 11, 2025
Selection Day: August 22, 2025
Cohort Announcement: Coming soon
Welcome Mixer: Coming soon
IN-PERSON EVENTS
Save the Dates!
April 24, 5:30 – 7:30pm | Ignite & Inspire: Alumni & Community Leader Roundtable Discussion
June 12, 5:30 – 7:30pm | Surge Academy Philadelphia #LeadtheSurge Event
Disclaimer: Our intended audience for our virtual gatherings are African-American and Latinx leaders in the Philadelphia education and youth-serving space.
SURGE PHILADELPHIA 2026 ACADEMY SESSION DATES
Session 1 & Opening Retreat (in-person):
October 9-11, 2025
Session 2:
November 13-14, 2025
Session 3 (in-person):
December 11-13, 2025
Session 4:
January 8-9, 2026
Session 5:
February 12-13, 2026
Session 6 & Closing Retreat and Graduation:
March 12-14, 2026
The fellowship cohort participates in monthly full-day sessions: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (virtual sessions) and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (in-person in-person sessions). Fellows are expected to attend all retreats and monthly sessions.
CANDIDATE
CRITERIA
- Philadelphia-based African-American or Latinx leader
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
- Minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership in education or youth-serving roles
- Employed in an education or youth-serving role (district, charter, public policy, philanthropy, or advocacy/nonprofit) at the initiation of and for the duration of the fellowship
- 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
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.
If you have specific questions, contact Surge at academy@surgeinstitute.org.