Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program

The Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program is designed to attract, develop and retain promising young professionals who will help lead the economic revitalization and development of Detroit. This talent pool is being cultivated in order to build the capacity of public, for-profit, nonprofit and quasi-public organizations, including Detroit's anchor institutions. The Detroit Fellows program is an outstanding opportunity for those looking to build a career in the fields of economic and business development, real estate and urban planning. It is also an outstanding opportunity to be a key contributor to the transformation of Detroit... to creating the Detroit of tomorrow.

The Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program is modeled after the successful Rockefeller Foundation Redevelopment Fellowships launched in 2007 in New Orleans. That program, administered by the Center for Urban Redevelopment Excellence at the University of Pennsylvania, enabled key redevelopment organizations in New Orleans to recruit qualified professionals from across the country to work on the rebuilding process there. Full-time employment for a minimum of two years, working on initiatives that will turn the vision for Detroit into reality. Each Detroit Fellow will be working in various project management and leadership roles as an employee of one of the organizations actively shaping the Detroit of Tomorrow.

During the first phase, the Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program will include up to 25 mid-career professionals working with a variety of local organizations. Organizations that have agreed to employ Fellows include the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the Downtown Detroit Partnership, Invest Detroit, the City of Detroit, the University Cultural Center Association, NextEnergy, and the Woodward Corridor Initiative. A special effort is also being made to build capacity in a variety of other community development organizations across the city.

Qualifications and Application Requirements

Academic: Graduate degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy or Administration, Business, or Law, preferred, Post-graduate and mid-career applicants welcomed Minimum: Bachelor's Degree completed, plus 5 years of relevant experience

Work experience in real estate, community, economic or business development, or in fields related to urban revitalization preferred

Applicants will be evaluated based on their scholastic achievements, oral and written communication skills, analytic skills, campus and community service involvement, political awareness, leadership potential, and work experience.

Efforts will be made to recruit a national pool of qualified applicants. Young professionals living in the region and Detroiters who wish to return to the city and help make a difference are encouraged to apply.

Non-US citizens must show authorization to work in U.S.

Applications for the Fellows Program are due by April 15. Please see the website at http://wayne.edu/detroitfellows/ for more information. There is also a Facebook page - search "Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program."