RJ Fellows Honors Program
Learning and leadership for a changing world
About RJ Fellows
The RJ Fellows honors community brings together high-achieving and imaginative students who have demonstrated an exceptional intellectual and personal curiosity about change in the world.
The program provides opportunities for fellows to participate in challenging courses that develop their intellectual understanding of and capacity to effect change. RJ Fellows are diverse in their range of scholarly interests, backgrounds, and talents. Whatever their future endeavors, every RJ Fellow exhibits the capacity to lead innovation in their chosen field. RJ Fellows opportunities include:
- a $5,000 annual scholarship
- access to exclusive academic and co-curricular opportunities including participation in a first-year pre-orientation program and a first-year seminar with their cohort
- a built-in network of peers, faculty mentors, and alumni
Established in 2002 through the generosity and vision of Joseph and Rita Scheller, the RJ Fellows program aims to foster a community of students uniquely prepared to lead productive, informed, and conscientious lives of leadership and service.
What You’ll Do
Build Community From Day One
Fellows begin their Muhlenberg experience early through a pre-orientation program, where they:
- Move in before the full class
- Connect with peer mentors and faculty
- Participate in community engagement and social activities
This early starts creats a strong, lasting cohort.
Engage in Challenging, Purpose-Driven Coursework
Across four years, Fellows complete a sequence of courses focused on change and leadership, including:
- A first-year seminar emphasizing critical thinking, writing, and discussion
- Four interdisciplinary courses exploring themes of change
- A senior seminar and symposium to synthesize ideas and showcase work
Recent seminar themes have included:
- The changing role of media in society
- Innovation for social impact
- Dialogue across difference
- The evolving nature of food and culture
Extend Learning Beyond the Classroom
The program integrates academic, social, and experiential learning through:
- Field trips and off-campus experiences
- Regular service and community engagement opportunities
- Annual events and cohort gatherings
- Conference and research support
Pursue Your Own Initiatives
RJ Fellows are encouraged — and supported — to take initiative.
Whether launching a project, presenting research or pursuing a new idea, Fellows receive:
- Faculty mentorship
- Funding and conference support
- A collaborative community that helps brings ideas to life.
Outcomes That Stand Out
RJ Fellows graduate with more than academic distinction. They leave with:
- Demonstrated leadership experience across campus and beyond
- Research and presentation credentials, including national and international conferences
- Strong faculty mentorship and alumni connections that will serve them throughout their professional careers
- A track record of initiative, collaboration, and impact
Fellows are active across Muhlenberg — in research labs, student government, athletics, the arts, and publications. Each one will bring that breadth of experience into their future careers and graduate study.
RJ Fellows In the News
Meet Lexy Widi '26
Widi, a dance and neuroscience double major, from Stillwater, Minnesota, has pursued undergraduate research, meaningful volunteer work, and is part of a student-run group finding ways to educate campus about the Lenape people.
READ ABOUT WIDIHarry Glicklin ’26 Helps Produce a Live Morning Show
Glicklin, a media and communication major and English literatures minor, from Burke, Virginia, interned at ABC 7 News - WJLA in the Washington D.C. area.
READ ABOUT GLICKLIN'S EXPERIENCEInterfaith Organization Highlights Sabeen Safi ’26
Safi, a predental public health major and student body president, received a Building Relationships Across Interfaith Differences (BRAID) Fellowship for her work in advocating for an interfaith space in Seegers Union
READ ABOUT SAFI'S WORKQuestions?
Contact director of the RJ Fellows, Professor of Biology and Sustainability Studies Rich Niesenbaum at [email protected].
