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Maria Whelan Leadership Institute
Early Childhood Emerging Leaders Fellowship
Transforming providers and educators into Illinois’ early childhood leaders.
Applications Are Currently Closed.
Are you interested in becoming an early childhood leader and advocate in your community?
We are seeking equity-minded applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities for the 2025-26 Early Childhood Emerging Leaders Fellowship. Apply for the Emerging Leaders Fellowship and engage in a 9-month fellowship with 20 fellows from Illinois.
Interest Form Coming Soon.
Empowering professionals to be Illinois’ early childhood leaders and advocates.
At the Maria Whelan Leadership Institute (MWLI), we believe that every early childhood professional has the potential to be a leader and advocate for positive change. MWLI serves as a catalyst for transformation, offering comprehensive programs designed to cultivate the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to make a lasting impact in the field of early childhood education.
The MWLI Early Childhood Emerging Leaders Fellowship is an innovative program designed to engage diverse, mid-level child care providers and early learning teachers in developing their leadership, advocacy, and systems change skills and knowledge of the state’s early childhood landscape.
About the Fellowship
The MWLI Emerging Leaders Fellowship is tailored for mid-level professionals in early childhood education and care (ECEC) who aspire to enhance their leadership skills both professionally and civically.
Throughout this nine-month fellowship, you will join a cohort of 20 fellows from across the state of Illinois. Our program offers monthly facilitated sessions by experts focusing on leadership development, professional skills, advocacy, and systems change. Annually, we actively seek equity-minded applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities for our cohorts. All fellows receive a stipend for their participation in the fellowship program.
Apply to become a part of our vibrant community of emerging leaders in early childhood education and care!
Have Questions? Get Answers!
For more information about the Emerging Leaders Fellowship, contact:
Jacqueline Melendez
Director of Workforce Development