Boundless, Together.
The Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows (Graham Fellows) is a selective, interdisciplinary program at York College of Pennsylvania that brings together creative, driven students from all academic backgrounds who are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in both local and global communities. In addition to paid assistantships and an international learning experience, Fellows take part in a series of honors courses designed to build key skills in collaboration and innovation.
Enhancing and complementing each student’s primary field of study, these courses cover topics like professional communication, marketing strategies, proposal development, budgeting, and project execution. Supported by faculty and peer mentorship, Fellows in their courses also work in cross-disciplinary teams to design and implement original projects. Together, they aim to C.A.P.T.U.R.E. the entrepreneurial spirit through Curiosity, Ambition, Passion, Tenacity, Unique perspectives, Resourcefulness, and Excitement.
Prospective students are invited to apply based on faculty nominations in late Fall.
Program Benefits
Enhance Your Curriculum
In coordination with your major or program’s curriculum, you’ll participate in honors coursework, co-curricular professional and academic development activities, collaborative innovation projects , a paid interdisciplinary assistantship, and summer programming, including a two-week global learning experience. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with other Fellows to innovate new projects, programs, or approaches and receive faculty, peer, and financial support to see them through implementation.
Engage in International Collaboration
You'll have the opportunity to co-plan and participate in an international group travel experience, to advance cultural competency and global understanding, build academic expertise, improve communication skills, and innovate with students at a host institution. In some cases, collaborating students may showcase their work in shared conference presentations or publications.
Gain Interdisciplinary and Real-World Experience
York College partners with local leaders in business, technology, education, government, arts and culture, social services, and other fields to mentor you through an interdisciplinary assistantship. Additionally, if you have an interest in research, you have the option of working with a faculty member or research organization to build your skills and portfolio.
Learn from Faculty Experts
Graham Fellows honors classes are led by expert faculty from a wide variety of disciplines, using a student-centered curriculum. Your cohort will also be matched with a faculty mentor who will provide academic guidance and help you maximize internal and external opportunities, set individualized goals, and prepare for your future career.
Program Details
Learn more about applying and participating in the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows program.
- Maintain good academic standing, as defined by York College policy.
- Enroll in and actively participate in all required Graham Fellows (YES) courses.
- Demonstrate professionalism and academic integrity in all coursework.
- Attend all required orientations, retreats, and program sessions.
- Attend a minimum of 2 pre-approved professional learning events per semester.
- Maintain communication with program leadership, including responding to emails, reaching out with questions or concerns, and providing feedback as requested to support program growth and development.
- Serve as representatives of the program, exhibiting professionalism and program values on campus and in the broader community.
Perspective students are invited to apply based on faculty nominations in late Fall. Interested students should reach out to their instructors.
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 defines 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 meaningful impacts on their local and global communities.