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The Rise Fellowship is a one-year leadership development program through Parkview Church in Iowa City designed to prepare rising leaders from the University of Iowa for a life of influence. Through career-specific mentorship, spiritual growth, and leadership huddles, fellows will be equipped to glorify God and serve others in their careers and communities.
Join a community where you can deepen your faith, hone your leadership skills, and discover your God-given calling.
• will be an undergraduate at the University of Iowa in the Fall of 2025
• demonstrates the desire and capacity to lead others
• loves Jesus and longs to become more like Him
• loves serving others and being a force for good in his/her community
• monthly mentorship sessions with experienced professionals
• leadership huddles to apply Christian leadership principles
• discipleship through Parkview's 24:7 college ministry
• a $3,000 scholarship (based on need and merit)
• a completed online application
• two references: one from a leader in the applicant's home church, and one from an individual who has discipled, mentored, or trained the applicant
• A complete FAFSA and/or snapshot of your financial picture (if applying for scholarship as well)
Prospective Fellows should apply between March 10 and May 30. You can see an overview of the application process below, as well as required materials.
In addition to submitting an online application, all prospective fellows must submit contact information for two references. We request that one reference be from a leader in your home church and one be from an individual who has discipled, mentored, or trained you in some way (coach, small group leader, teacher, etc.).
Those desiring to be considered for a scholarship will be requested to submit their FAFSA as well as a brief snapshot of their financial situation. This will allow reviewers to have a complete financial picture when evaluating need for scholarship.
If you do not have a FAFSA, you can still apply for the scholarship. Please add more detail to your financial snapshot so that we can accurately gauge your need.
The Rise Fellowship includes a structured schedule to keep you engaged and growing.
The official program dates are August 2025-May 2026, following the University of Iowa academic schedule. We encourage you to schedule an informal meeting with your mentor before the program kickoff in late August. Fellows will be commissioned at Parkview Church in the Sunday worship service on August 24, 2025.
Huddles will meet monthly throughout the year. We will take December off so fellows and mentors may travel and rest over winter break.
The fellowship requires 6-10 hours of engagement per month.
By accepting a Rise Fellowship, you’re committing to an intentional year of growth through:
• Weekly college ministry gatherings to be spiritually formed in community (1–2 hours per week)
• Monthly leadership huddles for equipping in leadership skills and connecting with career-specific mentors (2 hours per month)
• Once-per-semester service opportunities to make a tangible impact in the community (time varies)
Each of these commitments is designed to help you grow in faith, leadership, and calling as part of a Christ-centered community.
Parkview Church is an Evangelical Free Church in Iowa City, IA committed to glorifying God through the whole church forming whole disciples of Jesus for the good of all people.
We have a vision of saturating the University of Iowa network with a transformative Gospel presence in order to form and send rising leaders who bring whole-life flourishing wherever they go. The Rise Fellowship program is a key part of this vision.
Apply today to become a rising Christian leader at the University of Iowa.