Launch Fellowship
Taking Career Exploration to New Heights
The Launch Fellowship is a yearlong mentorship program including a weeklong immersion experience. Through the program, rural middle school counselors responsible for career exploration in the classroom learn new ways to engage and inspire students while expanding their professional network.
We are now accepting applications for our 2026 Launch Fellowship.
Applications close Sunday, Nov. 2, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Who's this opportunity for?
To participate in this program, you must be: (1) currently employed as a school counselor, (2) working in a rural middle school in the United States and (3) responsible for the provision of career exploration activities at your middle school. Please note that we cannot accept individuals who are currently enrolled in counseling programs nor those who have the credential but are not actively working in the field.
Each Fellow Will Receive:
One-on-One Mentoring and Professional Development
Fellows will participate in regular mentorship meetings to build their career exploration skills with particular interest in food and agriculture.
$4,000 Stipend
Fellows will also receive a stipend to compensate for the time commitment.
$1,100 Budget for Curriculum Development Supplies
Financial assistance to take the skills you learned and implement them within the classroom.
We are now accepting applications for our 2026 Launch Fellowship.
Applications close Sunday, Nov. 2, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Phase 1: Mentorship
March-May 2026
We’ll start the program with a series of mentorship meetings to lay the groundwork for the year. Fellows will each be assigned a mentor who they will meet with monthly via Zoom to discuss things such as their professional goals for the program. Fellows will also be expected to attend at least one monthly group meeting via Zoom where they will receive professional development related to career exploration and Social Cognitive Career Theory. Fellows will learn about different careers in food and agricultural sciences. They will also gain knowledge in Social Cognitive Career Theory and innovative opportunities to engage in career exploration.
Meetings will be scheduled based on the availability of the fellows and mentors. We will make concerted efforts to accommodate busy schedules.
Phase 2: Weeklong Immersion Experience
June 2026
From June 14 to June 20, fellows and mentors will meet up for a weeklong immersive experience in Burlington, Vermont. There, they will be able to engage in hands-on learning in a variety of food and agricultural science careers, as well as tour the local area.
Phase 3: Bringing it to the Classroom
August-September 2026
This is where we'll put your new skills into action! We provide support in how to actionably apply the career exploration skills within the classroom. You’ll attend a virtual open house to discuss your fellowship experience with individuals who may be interested in participating in the summer 2026 trip.
Contact Kristine Ramsay-Seaner, Ph.D.
2025 Launch Fellows
- Brianna Andrews (Arkansas) Newport Junior High School
- Allison Sabb-Glenn (South Carolina) Pelion Middle School
- Steven Quinlan (North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã) Center-Stanton Public School
- Brandi Fike (Pennsylvania) Laurel Highlands Middle School
- Amanda Martin Gray (Mississippi) Lafayette Middle School
- Eric Jessen (Utah) Plute High School
- Barbra Galloway (Florida) Desoto Middle School
- Linda Sanchez (New Mexico) Los Alamitos Middle School
- Janel Uhlich (North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã) Drake High School
- Natalie Wallace (Pennsylvania) Beaver Falls Middle School
- Yolanda Price (South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã) Lead-Deadwood Middle School
- Katy Stoops (Arkansas) Yellville-Summit Middle School
Mentors
- Kari Lena-Helling (South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã) Flandreau Middle School
- Danielle Luebke (North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã) Hankinson Public School