Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan’s Senior High School community congratulates Jim B Akut II, SHS Student Activities and Leadership Development coordinator, for being selected as a fellow in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship for Fall 2017. 

The academic fellowship is an intensive short-term program in the United States from September 7 to October 13 this year.

The program provides young leaders from Southeast Asian countries with a deeper understanding of leadership and social development.  

Three cohorts are offered under the YSEALI Academic Fellowship: Civic Engagement, Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, and Environmental Issues.

Akut was accepted as a fellow on Civic Engagement. This cohort will provide them with an overview of how citizens have shaped US history, government, and society, both as individuals and groups. 

The fellowship will define civic engagement, examine its development in the US, and explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism. 

This also serves as an avenue for the fellows to learn firsthand experiences on how to tackle social and civic issues and various strategies on conflict management.

Fully funded by the US Department of State, the fellows on YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Civic Engagement will be hosted by Northern Illinois University.∎