While the priority deadline for receipt of applications for the 2009–2010 Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program was March 2, 2009, applications are still being accepted. Institutions that submit applications early are more likely to be matched with their first-choice Fellow.

The program enables a college or university to bring to campus, for a full week, a distinguished public figure, journalist, artist, environmentalist, or other nonacademic expert for an intensive week of seminars, lectures, classes, and informal meetings with students and faculty groups. Distinguished professionals choose to participate as Fellows in the program because they relish the opportunity to share their expertise with students who in turn become better informed and more actively engaged in learning by interacting with the Fellow.

Now approaching the fourth semester of operation under the Council of Independent Colleges, the Fellows program continues to grow. CIC increased the number of participating Fellows to more than 125 and will close the 2008–2009 academic year with nearly 90 successful campus visits by Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows. The visits have received very positive reviews from presidents, deans, faculty members, and students. The Fellows themselves also have been effusive in their praise for the program.

The fee for a five-day residency is $5,750 for CIC members and $6,250 for other institutions. This fee is lower than the price most of the Fellows charge for a single lecture. Hosting a Fellow on campus is a cost-effective way to maintain excellent programming for students, faculty members, and the entire community when budgets are lean. CIC pays the Fellow’s honorarium, travel, and other incidental expenses, and the host campus provides housing and meals for the Fellow.


For details about participation in the program, including biographical information about the growing list of distinguished individuals who are now serving as Visiting Fellows, visit the WWVF website.