The EMPOWER Fellows Program, housed within the Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE), is a transformative leadership opportunity for Northeastern students committed to fostering meaningful connections, advancing social justice, and facilitating peer-led intergroup dialogue. Rooted in principles of equity, empathy, and collective learning, this fellowship equips students with the skills to lead critical conversations, design inclusive programming, and strengthen communities across differences.
Fellows undergo rigorous training in intergroup dialogue facilitation, drawing on best practices in conflict resolution, generative listening, and social identity development, and apply their learning by co-creating dialogue spaces, cultural programming, and campus-wide initiatives. Through mentorship from CIE staff, campus partners, and collaboration with peers, EMPOWER Fellows play a pivotal role in shaping a more engaged and socially conscious Northeastern community
- Peer-led Dialogue: Facilitating conversations that build empathy, curiosity, and understanding across differences
- Collaborative Leadership: Fellows design and implement intercultural programming across CSL Centers and spaces
- Celebratory Showcase: Annual Cultural Show highlighting intersectional identities through creative expression
Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Academic Year!
Application Deadline: September 26, 2025
Expected Commitment: ~ 10-12 hours per week, End of October-Early May
Stipend: $3,000
This is a paid hybrid position for Northeastern undergraduate students at the Boston campus only.
The EMPOWER Story: A Timeline of Community and Dialogue
2010
Spring 2010: Delia Cheung Hom (Asian American Center) and Bob Jose (Dean of Cultural and Spiritual Life) identified a need for stronger connections between different student of color communities on campus.
Summer 2010: The first EMPOWER Retreat planning team formed, with staff from the Asian American Center, the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute, the Latinx Student Cultural Center, and LEAD360.
2011
January 2011: The very first EMPOWER Retreat was held in Sandwich, MA, creating a powerful new space for connection.
Spring 2011: The success of the retreat led to new events like the “EMPOWER Mingle” to keep the momentum going.
2011 – 2015
The initiative expanded to two major annual events:
- The EMPOWER Retreat in the fall.
- The EMPOWER Conference in the spring.
These events became cornerstone opportunities for students to explore identity, leadership, and build community together.
2015 – Present Day
The program has always been a collaborative effort, with supporting staff from across dozens of university departments and cultural centers.
Today, the EMPOWER Fellows Program is housed within the CIE, of building community and facilitating dialogue.
True to its legacy, EMPOWER maintains its strong collaborative spirit and deep partnerships with all Cultural and Spiritual Life (CSL) Centers across the university.
The Fellows Program continues to be the heart of the program, leading critical conversations and designing inclusive programming for the entire Northeastern community.
