Coro Fellows in Public Affairs

Learn more about the 2015 - 2016 cohort of the Fellowship in Public Affairs!

This video was created by Ryan Senser (Fellows Program NY 2004) and Mor Erlich (Animator).

The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs uses the city as a classroom to train the next generation of change makers. Today’s complex urban environments present constantly evolving challenges and opportunities, creating an increasing need for versatile leaders with the ability to forge connections and lead across the non-profit, business and government sectors.

Competitively selected applicants will join an intimate cohort of 12 participants for the nine-month program, with each cohort encompassing a wide range of communities, interests, ideologies and experiences.

A full-time, nine-month immersion into multiple sectors, the Coro Fellows program exposes participants to leading industries and professional environments, providing one-on-one access to business and community leaders addressing a range of civic issues, and access to unparalleled relationship-building opportunities. Coro Fellows emerge with vast cross-sector experience, a strong network of Coro connections, self-awareness and a clear path forward for a successful career in their chosen fields.

The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs is offered in Pittsburgh, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and St. Louis. Programs differ somewhat by location, so please visit the different Coro locations to learn more about each center before submitting an application.

The process of leadership involves both diagnosis and action. Leaders are highly effective at diagnosing, and then intervening at leverage points in, systems in order to solve systemic problems. As actors in the very systems they are seeking to change, leaders must also be highly effective at diagnosing and intervening in themselves. In the midst of action, the leader has to be able to reflect on her own attitudes and behavior to better calibrate interventions into the complex dynamics of an organization or community. As illustrated in the figure below, the Coro training includes four main parts: self/system diagnosis and self/system intervention, with learning outcomes tied to each part.

Awareness Workshops focus on diagnosing the self in order for participants to clarify who they are–their values and beliefs, their purpose and their natural talents–from which to build their Individual Strategic Plans and co-design their Catalytic Projects.The Coro Fellows Program is a full-time, nine-month, hands-on training in how to intervene in systems through cross boundary leadership. The learning experience includes four program components.

Civic Strategy Sessions focus on diagnosing the systems that shape community issues. Participants work together as a group to create and manage their own learning agenda using interviews and other forms of structured group dialogue. Topics have included affordable housing, transportation and workforce development, infrastructure and the environment, education, youth, and public safety. Participants engage with various community leaders and subject matter experts to explore the leverage points where they can make change in the system.

Catalytic Projects give Coro Fellows the opportunity to co-design system interventions and collaborate with community-based organizations to implement and learn from the project. Each Fellow is placed for a total of 30 weeks on one or more projects sponsored by Coro partners.

Individual Strategic Plans are the foundation for intervening in self in order to consistently perform at one’s best. Having an individual strategic learning plan with active support from mentors is essential for emerging leaders to develop confidence and competence in their work. Mentoring is ongoing throughout the program. Coro connects Fellows with a network of mentors, often Coro alumni, who fulfill a variety of functions, including:

• Helping participants take advantage of opportunities for professional development.
• Coaching participants to see their strengths and navigate obstacles.
• Protecting participants from negative career outcomes or damaging consequences in the community.
• Supporting participants in developing and implementing their catalytic projects.

Time Commitment – The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs is a full-time program with nine months of rigorous training and activity, from August to May. The average weekly time commitment is estimated at 60 hours, although this can vary greatly depending on specific projects in which the Fellows are involved. As such, Fellows are encouraged not to obtain employment outside of Coro while participating in the program.

Cobb Counsel Coro Fellowship Scholarship is endowed by Coro Pittsburgh Board Member Wayne Cobb (Fellow ’03), the Cobb Counsel Coro Fellow Scholarship was founded to provide support and consideration to qualified African-American candidates selected for the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership, Pittsburgh.

The award, which varies by year, can be used by the recipient to offset the costs of living expenses during the program year. Any individual accepted into the program who self-identifies as Black or African-American may apply for the scholarship.

The Program Calendar for the 2014-2015 cohort of Fellows in Public Affairs can be found here.