Boundless, Together.
The Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows (Graham Fellows) is a selective, two-year interdisciplinary program at York College of Pennsylvania. By bringing together creative, driven students from every academic background, this unique initiative builds the connections and skills necessary to drive meaningful impact in both local and global communities.
Each semester, Fellows work in cross-disciplinary teams (Co-Labs) to design, plan, and implement diverse projects. From launching a new podcast to designing an on-campus makerspace or leveraging the program’s social media platform, Fellows move ideas to action—all with the mentorship of a dedicated team of faculty and industry experts. Fellows also have the opportunity to work with local businesses, organizations, or faculty members outside of their discipline, earn professional mico-credentials, attend a sponsored 2-week study abroad, and access designated collaborative spaces across the campus.
To support their commitment to the program, starting in Fall 2026, each Fellow will receive a $6,400 living stipend distributed over four semesters ($1,600 per semester). This award honors the approximately 85 hours of dedicated project work and professional development required each semester.
Fall 2026 Application Now Open (Due Date April 10, 2026) Students who will be YCP sophomores or juniors in the upcoming academic year (2026-27) are invited to apply.
Program Benefits
Student-Led Initiatives with Real-World Impact
The "Co-Lab" model serves as an incubator for student-led innovation, where Fellows dedicate four hours weekly to the design and implementation of projects that address campus and community needs. Whether launching an intergenerational program, designing a testing protocol, curating a new art installation, or building their brand, Fellows translate theoretical knowledge into tangible outcomes. This hands-on experience ensures that students graduate with a portfolio of work that demonstrates their creativity, adaptability, and leadership skills.
Professional Mentorship and Leadership Opportunities
Fellows are integrated into a supportive ecosystem of faculty and industry experts who provide guidance on interdisciplinary project management and individual professional development. The program additionally offers pathways to leadership through priority hiring for paid positions within the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation (GCCI) and co-planning and attending a global learning experience. These roles and opportunities allow Fellows to serve as peer mentors and program representatives, cultivating the executive skills necessary for postgraduate success.
Co-Curricular Learning and Credentialing
To support their professional skill building, Fellows engage in a series of learning modules focused on design thinking, strategic planning, and collaborative leadership. These flexible, online asynchronous modules lead to earned micro-credentials—formal certifications that validate a student's mastery of high-demand competencies. This intentional approach to co-curricular learning ensures Graham Fellows learn at their own pace and ultimately complete the program with a verified toolkit of skills that distinguish them to future employers and graduate programs.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and C.A.P.T.U.R.E. Values
The program fosters a thriving cooperative by intentionally bringing together students from all academic disciplines to solve complex problems through diverse lenses. Grounded in the core values of Curiosity, Ambition, Purpose, Tenacity, Unique Perspectives, Resourcefulness, and Excitement, this collaborative environment prepares Fellows for the modern workforce. By bridging different fields of study in assistantships and team projects, Fellows learn to navigate multifaceted perspectives and drive collective innovation.
Program Details
Learn more about applying and participating in the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows program.
- Uphold professional standards and contribute positively to the collaborative learning environment.
- Maintain good academic standing, as defined by York College policy.
- Attend all required meetings, retreats, project planning sessions, and events.
- Abide by the York College Student Code of Conduct.
- Abide by all York College policies related to Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Serve as representative of the program on campus and in the broader community.
Students who will be YCP sophomores or juniors in Fall 2026 year are invited to apply by April 10, 2026.
Applications include a brief essay or 5-minute video and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or employer who can speak to your approach to collaboration/teamwork, leadership potential, and ability to adapt when facing new challenges.
All materials, including the letter of recommendation, must be submitted by the due date for consideration. Based on this initial application, selected students will be invited for an in-person interview.
Donald C. Graham, born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1933, is well-known in the York area for his philanthropy and business acumen. He graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering and Business Management, and was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society.
Don's entrepreneurial journey epitomizes the innovation and determination that define the program bearing his name. Starting with various jobs as a young boy, he eventually founded Graham Engineering in 1960 in the basement of a rented farmhouse in Dover, Pennsylvania, with no capital and one employee. Graham Engineering grew into The Graham Group, a diversified collection of companies with investments in over thirty businesses across multiple industries, ultimately growing to over $3.5 billion in annual sales.
Don's commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators led to the establishment of the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows program. The program supports forward-thinking York College students in achieving their academic, entrepreneurial, and creative aspirations while preparing them for successful careers in their chosen disciplines. Through unwavering support, cutting-edge resources, and a commitment to excellence, the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows program cultivates an entrepreneurial spirit and moves ideation to implementation.
The program envisions a thriving cooperative of diverse York College students who are not only academically accomplished but also equipped to lead, innovate, and excel across disciplines. By providing the resources, guidance, and opportunities needed to develop skills as collaborators, communicators, and innovators, the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows program prepares students to make a meaningful impact wherever their professional and civic journeys take them.