Graham Innovation Scholars

Led by some of our most innovative faculty members, you’ll be part of a team of students who are driven to succeed—starting with a First-Year seminar in innovative “entrepreneurial thinking” that can help you further develop your goals and educationan. Then, each semester, you’ll have one seminar with the class to share ideas, break new ground, and plan your futures together.

We’ll help you graduate with a toolkit for success—with the skills and expertise to achieve your own educational, career, and personal goals. You could, for example, combine courses in the arts with those in the sciences to develop and market new products or services; you could develop just the right mix of courses to prepare for law school or be ready to shine in your first workplace; or you could develop a curriculum that helps you become a leader in management, the arts or music industries, or to start your own business. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

You will have the opportunity to plan and participate in exciting trips and cultural experiences. As a Graham Scholar, you will work with your cohort to propose and develop short-term study abroad experiences, guided by Graham Fellow and resident world-traveler Dr. David Fyfe, and to plan "study away" experiences within the United States. You will then travel as a group to learn about sites and cultures around the world at very accessible cost.

Through the generosity of the program donor Donald Graham, we are able to provide funding for Graham Scholar travel. Though students may be asked to cover the costs of some travel experiences—either on their own or through student-planned, entrepreneurial fundraising (itself a learning experience!)—we will make sure that these experiences are accessible to all Scholars.

By participating in these travel experiences, you’ll learn to be a global citizen, encountering different cultures and practices relevant to your field of study. If you are interested in a more in-depth study abroad program (full semester or year-long), our faculty and staff are happy to help you plan that as well.

Our faculty, many of whom are also experienced business and community leaders, build classes that will teach you key business skills in leadership, accounting, marketing, management, and business law to supplement your major field of study. These skills are valuable tools for everyone—whether you are an artist, writer, engineer, or chemist—and will help you make a living doing what you love. You may even get the chance to implement your entrepreneurial ideas in the local community.

Faculty from a wide variety of disciplines—including the arts, science and technology, humanities, and business—develop and deliver an innovative curriculum based on real-world experiences as well as classroom learning. Classes are led by subject matter experts and, whenever possible, are tailored to students' interests and career goals. Professors can assist you in developing special topics courses and other enrichment activities to help you achieve success.

In addition to working closely with faculty in class, your cohort will be matched with a faculty mentor who will guide you in your academic studies and help prepare you for your future career goals.

We partner with local leaders in business, technology, government, arts and culture, social services, and other fields who are available to mentor you. These proven experts will help you to learn about the principles of successful entrepreneurship.

They can open doors for you to network with others who (along with your faculty mentors) will help you toward a successful start to your career. This impressive group includes well-established leaders as well as young and innovative entrepreneurs who are doing big things here in York. We’ll match you with a mentor who aligns with your own interests.

Graham Scholars have the opportunity to do research with our faculty and/or work with community leaders during the summer. We’ll provide successful students with summer housing, a stipend, and a chance to work in a field that advances their own career goals. We will offer to qualified scholars a range of research experiences to activate their curiosity and provide a broader set of learning experiences, including the chance to do field work, lab work, or intern with a business or government agency.

Some past summer projects pursued by our Scholars include designing reusable rockets, developing and implementing a program to teach design thinking to middle school students, working at the Naval Yard in Philadelphia, and interning at one of the best accounting firms in the country.

In some cases, students are able to collaborate with faculty members on research projects, often leading to shared conference presentations and publications. Whatever form your project takes, it will allow you to build a strong résumé while in college so that you are prepared to enter the workforce, or to pursue post-graduate education, upon graduation.

As a Graham Scholar you’ll have opportunities to attend regularly-occurring events designed especially for you. These events, featuring both local and national leaders in a variety of fields, open the door to internships, shadowing and mentoring experiences, and, ideally, job opportunities.

These co-curricular experiences will help you envision how to apply your studies in your future career.