The Jones-Bowman Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate college and university Fellows who are enrolled members of the EBCI.

Fellows are chosen for their leadership potential. The award helps Fellows develop leadership competencies by means of formal education and firsthand experiences in leadership environments. Each year, each Fellow will develop a Leadership Learning Plan with an assigned mentor. The individually designed plans can include a variety of experiences. Stipends could be used to cover the cost of special educational experiences, such as attendance at national or international conferences or training workshops. Stipends could be used for special expenses not covered by scholarship funding.

The sponsored activities will focus on leadership learning, Cherokee culture and community service. Participation in the Jones-Bowman Program will require commitment to community service and time commitment in the summer months and on school breaks. It is anticipated that Fellows will put their leadership skills to use in service to the WNC region following graduation.

The Awards will provide funding of approximately $4,000 each year. Awards will be renewable for up to four years. It is expected that each Fellow will complete a two-year or four-year degree.

The Jones-Bowman Advisory Committee will select the Fellows on an annual basis. Fellows will be expected to maintain a continuing commitment of service to the Jones-Bowman Fellowship Program following completion of their degree.

A Jones-Bowman Award nominee must:

• Be an enrolled member of the EBCI.
• Be pursuing formal academic study, enrolled in at least six hours of study during each semester of the current academic year or term.
• Have an acceptance letter from the academic institution he or she will attend or, if a current student, provide a copy of the College or University transcript.

A Jones-Bowman Award applicant is required to:

• Secure 3 letters of recommendation from members of the community who have knowledge of the applicant’s potential and capabilities.

Leadership Activities

Fellows shall participate in at least 40 hours of unpaid volunteer community service each year. Community service activities will focus on serving others, in activities such as mentoring youth, helping and learning from elders, gathering and sharing knowledge, and participating in existing service programs. Failure to complete community service obligations will jeopardize continued participation in the program.

Fellows will work as a cohort in community service activities and leadership learning activities that focus on culturally based leadership learning. Experiences may include special internships, summer programs, and work with adult mentors from the EBCI community or the Fellow’s chosen academic community.

Fellowship Requirements

• Fellows will need to establish at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the first year of studies and maintain a 3.0 GPA for subsequent years.
• Each year, Fellows will write letters to the families of Chief Leon Jones and Mr. Jim Bowman to report on their studies and acknowledge the leadership contributions of Mr. Jones and Mr. Bowman.
• Each Fellow must submit an official acceptance letter to the Advisory Committee by the required deadline.
• Fellows will provide a copy of grades or transcript to their assigned mentor within one week of grades being posted.
• Fellows will be required to return award money if they do not meet the requirements.

To maintain the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award, Fellows must:

• Practice professionalism: Uphold a high standard of professionalism. Be on time for scheduled meetings or calls, and promptly return telephone calls and emails. Show appreciation towards your Mentor. Uphold relationship values including privacy, confidentiality, honesty and integrity.  Respect differences while discovering common ground. Commit to the Cherokee Core Values and the Jones-Bowman Code of Ethics. Understand that there is a review process for all reported incidents of unacceptable behavior.  Fellows found not to be in adherence of the Core Values or Code of Ethics will be subject to disciplinary action.
• Community service: Participate in at least 40 hours of unpaid volunteer community service each year. Community service activities include such things as mentoring youth, helping and learning from elders, gathering and sharing knowledge, and participating in existing service programs.
• Commit to remaining in good academic standing: Maintain a 3.0 GPA while assuming at least six credit hours or credit equivalent per semester. Fellow must establish at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the first semester, then maintain a 3.0 thereafter.  This is a non-cumulative GPA. The Fellow will need to provide a copy of his/her grades to his/her Mentor one week from being posted including midterm grades.  Fellow understands they will utilize funding for tutoring and or for appropriate activities that will improve his/her GPA by the end of the following semester.  Funding for all other purposes will be suspended until GPA is at the required level. Once a Fellow fails to meet his/her academic requirements after the completion of a semester, they are placed on academic probation.  While on academic probation, funds are restricted to being utilized for tutoring services and or any appropriate activity that will increase the GPA through the guidance of his/her Mentor.  If GPA is not at the required level after the probationary period of the following semester, the Fellow is no longer eligible for the program.
• Write annual letters: Write annual to the families of Principal Chief Leon Jones and Mr. Jim Bowman to report on leadership learning and volunteer service, acknowledging the leadership contributions of Mr. Jones and Mr. Bowman.
• Provide Grades & Accounting of Funds: Provide the Program Coordinator and Mentor a copy of grades within 7 days of them being posted.  Provide an accounting of funds expended within 7 days.
• Commit to entire program: Commit to actively participating in the entire Jones-Bowman program including attending meetings, engaging in activities, and meeting the following expectations of being a Jones-Bowman Fellow. The mandatory events include: orientation the last Saturday in June, an annual retreat the first weekend in August, and a mid-term luncheon one day during the first week of January.
• Communicate: Initiate regular contact with the Jones-Bowman Program Coordinator, making sure that the Coordinator is informed on progress and changes to his/her individual learning plan and on your work with your mentor.
• Be prepared for mentor:  Establish goals and create an agenda for each meeting. Take responsibility for your relationship with your mentor. Be proactive to ensure you stay on task to meet identified goals and keep your Mentor informed of progress.  Keep scheduled appointments with your Mentor. Accept feedback and suggestions from your Mentor and from the Program Coordinator and follow through on requests.