Benedict College Launches Faith Leadership Program

Benedict College will launch the FaithForward Leadership and Mentoring Initiative this summer after securing a $59,996 grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education.

The program pairs undergraduate students with faculty mentors, community leaders, and faith partners for workshops, mentorship sessions, and community service projects. Students explore vocational calling and build leadership skills through hands-on work.

Dr. Leon T. Geter, dean of the School of Communications, Arts and Social Sciences, wrote the grant proposal. "The FaithForward Initiative will give our students the tools, mentorship, and spiritual grounding they need to lead with integrity and serve with purpose," he said.

Benedict College partnered with Rev. Dr. Jamie O. Graham of Saint John Baptist Church to develop the curriculum, which targets students preparing for leadership roles in faith-based organizations and local communities.

The college will recruit undergraduate participants this spring. The program begins during the summer term.

Founded in 1870, Benedict College offers 29 baccalaureate degree programs and two master's degree programs. The historically Black college received the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award.