“Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose." – Myles Monroe

The Mercer Service Scholars (MSS) program is a highly selective, intensive program that engages committed students in substantive service to local and international communities, while preparing them to be emerging leaders on campus, in their professions, and in their communities.

Each year, a few select entering students are invited to become Mercer Service Scholars. They are selected because each has demonstrated a genuine desire to serve.  Each has expressed a desire to hone his or her leadership skills while attending college.  All want to make a difference in this world.

While at Mercer, Mercer Service Scholars are singled out for special attention and programming from leadership professionals and community leaders. The University also provides the funds to send Service Scholars on a Mercer On Mission service-learning trip abroad.  Those who complete the four-year program are given special University recognition upon graduation and granted a second major.  Mercer Service Scholars are noted for their leadership abilities and their service to the community both here and abroad.  They will graduate with an exceptional portfolio of skills, experiences, insights, and responsibilities that will distinguish them among their peers and prepare them for success in professional and graduate school or the workplace. Their hands-on achievements as problem-solvers, team leaders, and innovators will be backed with a deeper understanding of the social and political challenges that face us at home and globally. They will step forth as Mercer graduates prepared to act, as well as to think and to know.

MSS is a trans-disciplinary program that uses extensive periods of community service to enhance traditional classroom learning in any traditional academic discipline (e.g. engineering, business, education, music, the sciences, or the humanities).  Students serve and learn by working in cohorts made up of fellow scholars, staff and faculty members, human service professionals, community and national leaders, field supervisors and community partners.  In addition to their academic training, MSS cohorts receive leadership training while working on projects in the neighborhood or abroad.  Students become, in effect, part of a service-learning community designed to strengthen human communities, meet individual and social needs, promote intercultural literacy, and enhance the development of students as leaders, citizens and neighbors.

Facts

• Averaged more than 35 hours of community service per participant in 2006-2007.
• Members are active in campus life, including serving as SGA senators, as Quadworks officers, on the Special Events team, on the Judicial Board, and as Fraternity/Sorority officers.
• Many have founded new student organizations.
• Members averaged a 3.19 GPA last year

Academic Requirements

Although community service is a large part of leadership training, Scholars will also complete Mercer’s Program in Leadership and Community Service (PLS).

PLS functions as a “second major” in leadership and community service. Depending on their primary field of study, Mercer Service Scholars can complete the academic requirements for PLS by taking as few as four additional academic courses, participating in the Mercer on Mission program, and completing junior-senior service projects and internships. As a key element of the MSS program, Mercer Service Scholars will have their expenses paid to participate in Mercer on Mission, during the summer between their sophomore and junior years.

Each Scholar will work with the Chairman of Mercer’s Program in Leadership and Community Service (Dr. Tom Glennon) to design his or her individual academic requirements for the MSS program.

Co-Curricular Requirements

In addition to their academic preparation, Mercer Service Scholars participate as cohorts in regular leadership training meetings outside of classroom hours and attend an annual retreat with faculty, staff, and community leaders. They also work together as a group on fall and spring community service projects both here and abroad. Scholars design, manage, evaluate, and digitally document at least one major service project of their own in their junior and senior years. The specific co-curricular schedule is worked out in advising sessions and with other members of their cohorts. Co-curricular activities do not interfere with academic demands nor with the opportunities of campus life, although “time management” skills are essential.

How to Become a Mercer Service Scholar

Students receive information through Admissions and apply prior to their freshman year. Applications are due by June 2; interviews are conducted over the summer; accepted students are notified by August 4. Download application forms and recommendation forms below.

Application Form

Recommendation Form

Faculty and Staff Contacts

Dr. Thomas Glennon
Reg Murphy Professor of Leadership
Acting Director, Mercer Service Scholars
glennon_tj@mercer.edu
(478) 301-2971

Jeremy Baham
Associate Dean of Students
Associate Director, Mercer Service Scholars
baham_j@mercer.edu
(478) 301-2685