Mission
The Rhodes Service Scholar Program unites the development of leadership and service with a liberal arts education. The program strives to develop leaders who, during and after their time at Rhodes, will go into their communities and make a positive difference by developing and implementing programs to address social issues.

Philosophy
The current Rhodes vision states that Rhodes aims “to graduate students with a life-long passion for learning, a compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern into effective leadership and action in their communities and world.” This program was created as an intensive experience for some Rhodes students to learn and grow in their service and leadership which will help them reach those goals.

Specifically, this means enhancing leadership skills, working in the community, developing social commitment, studying social issues, and developing a strong sense of self. Program participants learn about themselves and their personal values and beliefs. They spend time in the study of leadership, understanding the efforts and challenges that other leaders in service have encountered. Finally, they strive to connect their academic lives, personal beliefs, knowledge of leadership, philosophies of service, and their futures.

Program Description
The first year of this comprehensive four-year program begins with an orientation and overview. Through the use of retreats, activities, service experiences, and various simulations, students begin to define and critically examine leadership and service. First-year participants have the opportunity to learn more about themselves, the Memphis service community and service-learning at Rhodes. Reflection activities, bi-monthly meetings, and the opportunity to shadow older Scholars complete the first-year program. At the end of the year, first-year participants should be able to identify an area of service in which they will concentrate during the remainder of their time at Rhodes.

The second year provides students with a more in-depth analysis of various theories and models of leadership and service including social change, servant-leadership, and reflective leadership. The program provides students the opportunity to explore how their service experiences apply to leadership theory and can later be applied to their homes, communities, and workplace settings. Reflection on leadership during the second year will relate to the participant’s service focus. Participants set measurable goals for themselves and are held accountable for the achievement of them. Sophomores are also asked to find a faculty, staff, and community member to serve as their mentors throughout their remaining time at Rhodes.

The third year of the program provides students with continued reflection on leadership in the context of their focus and the liberal arts curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to meet various community leaders. Alumni and community leaders from various fields (corporate, non-profit, education, health, etc.) will join students to discuss leadership and social issues highlighted by the personal experiences of the community leaders. The participants will discuss with these leaders their own experiences as leaders in service.

In the fourth and final year, students will share and discuss their individual experiences. Seniors shall serve as mentors and facilitate leadership activities and retreats. Monthly meetings, an in-depth program evaluation and a community presentation about their four years of service work shall serve to provide integration, reflection, and closure as part of the transition into post-undergraduate life.

Requirements
-Complete an average of 10 hours of service a week for a total of at least 140 hours a semester. This commitment is traditionally divided among the following activities:

• 1-2 hours per week for meetings and training
• 1-2 hours a week for service reflection
• 4-6 hours per week for direct service in the community
• 1-3 hours per week for other service-related projects, training or campus leadership

-Meet bi-monthly with a small group for reflection (non-freshmen have the option of participating in other reflection experiences to be approved by the program staff).

-Participate annually in a fall overnight retreat and a spring day retreat.

-Participate in at least one regional or national conference during their time at Rhodes such as NSCAHH, COOL, SCALE, etc.

-Starting first semester of their sophomore year, create an Advisory Committee (includes a faculty member, a representative from their primary service site, and a Rhodes program staff member) that will meet once each semester until the student graduates to reflect on the student’s Rhodes experiences and the relationships between their academic, service and leadership experiences.

-Complete at least two summers of service.

Student Advisory Council
Members of the Student Advisory Council plan and facilitate programming. They administrate the community fund. Members of the advisory council will be elected in the spring semester and will serve for the following academic year.

Community Funds
Participants will have the option to apply for funding from a community fund. This fund will cover expenses for service projects, leadership development, service/leadership conferences and experiences, etc.

Scholarship Money
Rhodes will select 15 Rhodes Service Scholars each year. Each recipient will be awarded a $12,100 per year scholarship and will be required to participate in the Service Scholar Program throughout their four years at Rhodes. The scholarships are supplemental to any Rhodes grant-in-aid or scholarship the student is eligible to receive. Upon graduation and the successful completion of the program requirements, each Service Scholar will receive up to $1,600 for the purpose of reducing total educational loan indebtedness at the time of graduation.

Scholarship Eligibility
To be eligible to receive the Rhodes Service Scholarships, students must:

• Meet Rhodes’ academic admission requirements.
• Rank in the top 15% of his/her high school class, if ranked, or the equivalent performance in schools that do not rank.
• Have a family income (parents and student’s total income) of less than $85,000 per year or an Effective Family Contribution (EFC), as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), of $7,500 or less.
• Demonstrated that he/she held a role with significant responsibility at home, in church, at school or in their community.
• Participated in some community-service work during high school.

Scholarship Requirements
Participants are required to:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.67.
• Place community service and leadership development among his/her highest priorities at Rhodes.
• Fulfill wholeheartedly the responsibilities of the Service Scholar program.
• Commit to the program for 4 years.
• Accept periodic evaluation of his/her performance and adjust his/her performance accordingly.
• Discuss employment opportunities (e.g., resident assistant job, work-study or off-campus employment) with program staff members prior to applying for a position because this scholarship is meant to take the place of employment during the academic year.

Selection
The dean of admissions and financial aid, in consultation with the program staff members, will select semifinalists who will be given the opportunity to travel to the Rhodes campus, all expenses paid, for an interview and campus visit. While on campus, the students will be given an interview with members of the selection committee, a campus tour, an interview with an admission officer, time with current Service Scholars, an opportunity to attend classes and/or talk with faculty. Service Scholarship recipients will be chosen by the selection committee by April 10.