About SELF

What is the SELF Program?

The Madison A. and Lila Self Engineering Leadership Fellows Program is a co-curricular fellowship for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas. The program provides passionate and highly motivated engineering and computer science undergraduates the chance to challenge themselves as they develop on their leadership journeys.

The purpose of the program is to enhance the leadership, business, and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills of SELF Fellows. Those who receive the fellowship shall be accountable to themselves, their peers, and the program to continuously seek to demonstrate to the highest extent possible: integrity, humility, curiosity, creativity, academic excellence, perseverance and diligence while deepening their knowledge and skills across the seven pillars of the SELF Program, shown below.

The 7 pillars of the SELF program: Business, Engineering, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership, and Management

-SELF Program Mission

To develop passionate engineering and computer science graduates who are strongly goal-oriented and who bring the business skills and vision needed to guide the technology-based corporations of tomorrow.

-SELF Program Vision

The SELF Program is the center of excellence in Kansas for enabling Engineering Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business for undergraduate students.

-Vision for SELF Fellows

Self Engineering Leadership Fellows are the authentic engineering leaders of tomorrow possessing enhanced skills in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship and a fire in the belly to make a difference in the world.

Fellow Responsibilities & Expectations

All Fellows are expected to meet the requirements of the SELF Program. SELF Fellows will be reviewed each semester for completing the program objectives and making satisfactory progress toward their engineering degree. At the end of each academic year, all fellowships will be considered for renewal. The requirements are:

Actively participate in all SELF program activities including workshops, seminars and meetings with mentors and advisers, fully complete and return all assigned written activities and actively participate in the development program. The program time commitment is approximately 80 hours per year but can vary based on the leadership roles the Fellows take on. This is in addition to preparation and time spent in outside activities.
Make satisfactory progress toward an engineering degree (on-time graduation and minimum 3.0 GPA requirements).
Remain in good academic standing. Academic misconduct will result in immediate suspension from the SELF Program.

Each student, working in conjunction with SELF program staff, will develop a leadership study plan for their academic career that includes specific goals for attending workshops, courses and seminars. The plan will address areas such as:

Preparing communication and leadership skills necessary to be successful leaders in the workplace.
Understanding cultural and societal effects on the engineering and technology market.
Gaining the necessary basic business skills.
Selecting academic classes and extracurricular involvement that best fosters leadership development.

All Fellows are required to participate in the events listed below.

One Week Done- August
Fall Social- September
High School Design- October
Fall Finals Send Off- December
Foundations- January
Interview Day- January
Spring Social- March
Ovations- April

During your four years as a SELF Fellow, here are the curriculum milestones that each Fellow can expect.

There are many benefits to being a SELF Fellow, including being a part of a cohort, networking with program alum and industry, one-on-one mentoring and career coaching, and structured curriculum and personal development across the seven pillars of the SELF Program. Your leadership journey is an essential part of being a SELF Fellow. It starts with getting to know yourself, including your strengths and your goals.

The program will give you leadership opportunities on small and large projects, and encourage you to take the lessons and skills you’ve developed to student organizations and other activities outside of the program. By the end, you’ll be ready to succeed in whichever path your career takes you.

In addition, SELF Fellows receive the following tangible benefits:

Scholarship of $28,000 over four years- $6,000 during your freshman and sophomore years, $8,000 during junior and senior years
Fellows have access to FREE tutoring support. There is a tutoring center on campus, ^Wingspan, which provides tutoring for free to ALL KU students. They don't cover all classes, especially upper-level engineering classes. The SELF program will hire a tutor for Fellows if Wingspan can't accommodate.
Students have the opportunity to join a special study abroad program in Slovenia that is paired with the Business Leadership Program. This is exclusive to the SELF Program, and occurs at the end of the freshman year.
ALL Fellows can apply for a Pillar grant of up to $1,500 by the end of their sophomore year. The intent is to gain access to a special experience they otherwise would not have or to see an excellent opportunity towards their professional development. The pillar grant is available but not guaranteed.
Students also have the opportunity for an all-expense paid trip, SELF of the Road, where they travel in United States with their cohort just before their junior year.
Fellows also have an opportunity to apply for $1,000 in seed funding for their Enterprise project during their senior\ year.