Longwood Fellows: What to Expect

Learn More About Each Component

• Onboarding

  
  

  Fellows begin their experience through an onboarding process to get acquainted with one another and establish cohort norms and expectations. Fellows learn the culture of Longwood Gardens as well as visit regional public gardens, learning firsthand from public garden leaders about important topics in the field.

  
  

• Core Coursework

  
  

  Fellows learn about core topics in garden management from a variety of experts. Fellows collectively study core leadership theories and concepts, and tailor a segment of the curriculum to meet their individual leadership goals.

  Course content focuses on topics relevant to public gardens, such as:

  • The latest trends in leadership and organizational behavior
  • Board relations and governance
  • Leadership communications 
  • Master site planning
  • Nonprofit finance
  • Executive presence

  
  

• Practical Application

  
  

  Fellows apply their learning both at Longwood and afar. They participate in a department immersion facilitated by a mentor at Longwood Gardens, then spend two months at a partner garden in the US or abroad.

  Fellows also collaborate throughout the experience on a cohort project that meaningfully contributes to the leadership conversation for public gardens. This project is typically presented at the American Public Gardens Association annual conference. 

  About the Cohort Project

  Each cohort of Fellows works collectively on a single project that spans the duration of the program. The project contributes, in some tangible and meaningful way, to the leadership conversation occurring in public gardens. Project topics may be generated by the Fellows, suggested by Longwood or a horticulture partner, or identified by a public garden professional.

  Pending acceptance, Fellows present the results of their project at the annual conference of the American Public Gardens Association. The scope and relevance of the project will be commensurate with the effort required to produce an article for publication.

  About the Garden Placement

  Fellows spend a two-month externship at a partner garden in the US or abroad, studying and learning about their host organization and its structure, culture, and approach to staff management and leadership. International Fellows are placed at a US site, while domestic Fellows are highly encouraged to choose a placement site abroad. Placement sites include those gardens with which Longwood has established memoranda of agreement.

  Fellows are expected to contribute to their host organizations by attending meetings, working on specific assignments, and making recommendations based on their discoveries. The success of their placements will be evaluated by the garden placement site supervisor and the Program Director, using established criteria.

  
  

• Stipend and Benefits

  
  

  Part of the unique experience of being a Longwood Fellow is the residential nature of the program. By living and learning in a collegial community environment, Fellows develop deep professional and personal relationships with one another and with Longwood staff.

  Benefits while enrolled in the tuition-free Fellows Program include:

  • A monthly stipend 
  • On-property housing
  • A full Longwood benefits package including health insurance 
  • An annual stipend for individualized leadership development
  • American Public Gardens Association annual conference registration and associated airfare, lodging, and meals
  • A two-month garden placement, including airfare and lodging
  • Membership in the Society of Fellows alumni organization

  Finalists interviewing for the Fellows Program also receive airfare, lodging, and meals for their interview at Longwood Gardens.