Our Model

360 Degree Mentoring

The FDDS program develops the whole scholar --- personally, academically, and professionally. We provide personal leadership development that focuses upon each Scholar’s unique interests and attributes; academic mentoring from peer advisors, faculty mentors, and program staff; and tailored professional guidance from program staff and the Career Center.

Summer Enrichment

The FDDS program provides grant, stipend, and fellowship support for a range of summer enrichment work, including prestigious unpaid internships, language immersion programs, and individualized research with renowned faculty.

Multidisciplinary Learning

Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars engage important ideas and modern leadership challenges through the lenses of multiple disciplines. The interdisciplinary FDDS certificate frames and supplements the in-depth knowledge attained in AU's various majors.

Profile Enhancement

The FDDS program helps Scholars identify activities, internships, and other opportunities that will develop their leadership potential, advance their personal and professional goals, and aid them in cultivating the habits of self-reflection and self-expression that empower scholars to always  put their best selves forward, whether in person or on paper.

Ethical Civic Engagement

FDDS possess a global awareness of culture and embrace diversity of thought and experience. They are able to initiate interdisciplinary conversations that reflect a heightened awareness of social responsibility. Through participation in co-curricular activities, summer enrichment, and annual service commitments, they understand and apply tenets of social justice and activism.