Dr. Patty Diversity Fellowship

Increasing the representation of diverse, female leaders who deliver The ROX Program for Girls across the country.

The next application cycle will open Summer 2024!

✔ Increasing access

✔ Creating opportunity

✔ Empowering girls

Is working to ensure that every girl has an advocate, mentor & role model that
looks like her.

At ROX, we know that representation matters.  In view of the groundbreaking work we do in empowering future generations of girls, we recognize the need to increase diversity among our female facilitators in these spaces.  We also know that girls of color are inspired when they see women in leadership who look like them. The Dr. Patty Diversity Fellowship was established to amplify the vision and legacy of Dr. Patricia Cunningham, who was a trailblazing advocate for social change, representation, and equity. In championing her legacy, The Dr. Patty Diversity Fellowship aims to increase the representation of women of color in ROX facilitation positions serving underrepresented communities of girls, as well as remove barriers to ROX program implementation in their schools.

The Dr. Patty Diversity Fellowship includes women of color who are school counselors, educators, and leaders in their schools and communities from across the country who are selected based on essays, letters of recommendation from their school leadership, and an interview process with ROX leadership. Participation as a Dr. Patty fellow involves a 2-year commitment of providing ROX programming and implementation in their school, engagement in monthly virtual meetings that provide leadership and professional development and an affinity space, and participation in a summer colloquium experience at ROX HQ providing in-person professional and leadership development. And above all, ROX provides support and empowerment every step of the way.

The Dr. Patty Diversity Fellowship is named in honor of our former friend, colleague and co-worker Patricia Cunningham II, Ph.D., who was a fierce champion for social change, representation and equity. These passions fueled her life and her dedication to providing underserved communities with opportunities, education and access. Her legacy is no more clearly actualized than through the thousands of lives she impacted in her brief 37 years. Dr. Patty was pivotal in the development of the ROX Facilitator Certification training and the ROX Program for Girls. Dr. Patty wanted every girl to have the opportunity to experience herself as valuable, worthy and successful, and simply put, ROX would not have the impact that it does today without her influence and expertise. 

How it Works:

  • This fellowship is specific to women of color with a state-issued license in social work, counseling, education or school psychology who wish to implement the ROX program within their school community.

  • The fellowship is a two-year commitment. As a Diversity Fellow you will attend the three-day ROX Program Facilitator Training in the fall of 2023.

    Fellows are required to facilitate at least one ROX Program for Girls in the 2023-2024 school year and one in the 2024-2025 school year.

    Fellows are also required to engage in monthly mentorship and professional development and attend the fellowship colloquia at ROX in Columbus, OH in summer 2024.

    • Diversity Fellows will join an affinity of women of color committed to empowering and championing girls.

    • Waiving of The ROX Program for Girls Facilitator Certification fee ($600 value).

    • Funding for each ROX Program with 10 girls for duration of two-year commitment ($2,000 value).

    • $1,000 annual stipend and travel expenses to the summer colloquia in Columbus, OH.

Funders & Partners: