Eureka College offers first year students full-tuition scholarships, given through both the Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program and the Disciples Leadership Program. The RLP and DLP are some of the most educational experiences that any student at Eureka can have, while also representing some of the most unique, advanced scholarships in the country. Aside from the four-year, full-tuition accolade, Reagan fellows receive Stipends to cover the program’s special travel and mentoring opportunities, along with two on-site mentorships, while DLP fellows receive two on-site mentorships. Generally speaking, the leaders of each program reflect scholarly abilities, commitment to service, and academic excellence, allowing them to get to where they are today.
Dr. Cory Geraths, the assistant professor of communication and media studies at Eureka College, is in charge of the Reagan Leadership Program for the first time in his time at Eureka.
“I want to instill in the program an understanding of leadership,” says Geraths.
Through the program’s key values of diversity, equity and inclusion, independence, determination, and care, Geraths states that RLP fellows are able to care for one’s communities, whether that is being a leader on campus, in various organizations, or the global community.
Dr. Joe Cunningham, Eureka College’s associate professor of religion, runs the Disciples Leadership Program.
“The program seeks to promote in our students the values of global awareness, servant leadership, and community engagement,” Cunningham says.
Cunningham believes that following these values will not only allow DLP fellows to nurture and support others, but will also allow them to discern their sense of mission and vocation during their time at Eureka College.
As previously mentioned, fellows of both programs earn four year, full-tuition scholarships if choosing to attend Eureka College, but each program offers so much more.
“One of the big things that we are hoping is that our Reagan fellows, as a part of their mentorship experience, will travel in addition to the Reagan trip that is planned every couple of years,” Geraths mentions.
He also claims that traveling abroad is an experience that fundamentally transforms a person to become citizens of the world. All of this could be possible through the people you meet, the places you visit, and back to a broader sense, your own personal experience.
“Opening doors for future leadership, service, professional, and academic opportunities,” according to Cunningham, is another huge impact the DLP scholarship has on the lives and careers of recipients.
Some of his past DLP fellows have gone on to graduate programs at the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, TCU, and one fellow even attended King’s College in London.
In regard to future goals for each program, Geraths would like to set up the continuation of national recruitment strategies, help students understand that leadership is a very complex, diverse practice, increase current fellow relationships with alumni, and help students be positioned to complete international mentorships, while Cunningham would like to increase the amount of internship opportunities, promote even more travel experiences for his students, and increase the DLP’s recruitment presence in Disciples churches nationwide and internationally.
Maleha Hill, a second-year student at Eureka College, is fortunate enough to experience what it is like to be a part of this group. Although she is still early in her journey at Eureka, she has proven that she is a part of this amazing family.
“I define leadership as being able to support others in a positive direction, giving them guidance that they couldn’t acquire on their own.”
Maleha, who has one of the brightest personalities at Eureka, is constantly demonstrating leadership around campus and never turns down an opportunity to help others. She is always putting herself in spaces that require growth and progress, allowing her to reach the position she stands in today.
According to Maleha, both the RLP and DLP offer a variety of learning experiences. Of course, this means providing leadership opportunities, even on a small campus like Eureka’s. Overall, she believes that both programs are designed to give students a plethora of perspectives that will prepare them the best for the future.
Although both programs have their own key values, benefits, and future goals, Geraths, Cunningham, and Maleha all agree upon the fact that it is the mentorships, travel experiences, and leadership colloquium classes that allow the fellows to grow in their capacity to serve and lead within and beyond their local contexts.
