Compassion Scholars
Compassionate leadership through experiential travel.
A transformative program blending mentorship, service learning, and study abroad.
Compassionate
Leadership
The Compassion Scholars program pairs our young scholars with mentors that are models of compassionate leadership.
Experiential
Travel
Throughout the course of the programming, participants will learn about a global issue and then travel to complete a service learning project related to that issue.
Service
Learning
Scholars work with their mentors to implement a service project in their own communities based on the characteristics of compassionate leadership learned through the service learning projects they completed during their travels.
Developing compassionate leaders in Washington and beyond
The Compassion Scholars program is dedicated to shaping empathetic leaders in Washington and beyond. This program uses the principals of experiential travel, mentorship and service learning, as defined by Federal legislation in the National and Community Service Act of 1990:
Service learning is a method through which participants learn and develop by actively engaging in thoughtfully organized service projects. This service is conducted in a way that meets the needs of a community and is coordinated with educational institutions and community service programs. Through our partnership with World Fellows España, we work with Red Cross España, and Rioja Acoge and other organizations to develop a program that fosters civic responsibility, empathy, and cultural awareness.
The Compassion Scholars program pairs six enthusiastic young scholars with three experienced mentors who exemplify compassionate leadership. While each scholar will be working independently on their project, the cohort will be working together to encourage each other and share ideas. Our mentorship model ensures that all participants have the opportunity to benefit from the collective wisdom and skills of our mentor team.
During the program, scholars and mentors explore pressing global issues and participate in immersive service learning projects related to those issues. Upon returning, the scholars collaborate closely with their mentors to bring their newfound skills and insights to life by starting service projects in their own communities.
The Compassion Scholars program requires a year and a half long commitment from both the scholars and their mentors. Throughout their time, the cohort will meet as a group monthly to share updates and provide insights on their projects. At the end of the year and a half, the cohort will present their project at the WSLB Welcome Day celebration.
If you believe you are the type of student or mentor who will excel in such a program, please visit our application page.
Compassionate leadership through experiential travel.
The Compassion Scholars program originated from an acknowledgement that the current decade has not been a particularly compassionate one — and a belief that the global collective action problems of the future will require practical, compassionate leadership. The goal of the program, established through a partnership between the Washington State Leadership Board and the Office of the Lt. Governor, is to cultivate compassionate leadership in Washington state. In its first iteration in 2019, the program included a trip to meet with the Dalai Lama, as well as the ongoing implementation of concrete compassion projects in communities throughout the state.
