Civic Scholars Program

The Civic Scholars Program offers students a scholarship and pairs them with leaders in their community to cultivate the next generation of civic, community, and business leaders.

The program began in partnership with the City of Whittier, with Whittier College and the City of Whittier providing financial support for a cohort of local students. The program has recently received generous support from the Fletcher Jones Foundation to help it expand to other communities.

The Civic Scholars Program provides scholarships for students collaborating with community partners, offering:

• opportunities to engage in public service
• develop leadership skills
• gain practical experience that complements their academic studies

Through three main components—programming, mentoring, and personal development—the Civic Scholars curriculum focuses on:

• Bridging connections with local community leaders, such as mentorship and shadowing opportunities with local leaders
• Creating a professional development plan tailored to each student, such as a plan that allows for progressively increasing responsibilities regarding civic outreach and organizations
• Learning what’s necessary to produce successful programs, such as orientation events, local community events, and more

This initiative reflects Whittier College’s ongoing commitment to advancing social mobility and student success.

In fact, Whittier has been named the 16th best liberal arts colleges in the country for social mobility, in addition to placing in the top 100 liberal arts colleges nationwide, per U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings.

“The Civic Scholars Program is a cornerstone of our mission to empower students to become passionate leaders in our communities, state, and nation.” - President Kristine E. Dillon '73, Ph.D.