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Robert L. Washington Scholars Program

The revitalized Robert L. Washington Scholars Program will prepare a new generation of leaders for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by grounding them in faith, justice, and leadership practice.

Robert L. Washington

1923-2015

Robert (Bob) Lee Washington – Teacher, Preacher, Activist, Leader, Educator, Counselor, Husband, Father and Friend lived a life that surely evokes the scripture … "Well done thy good and faithful servant". A graduate of Coulter Memorial Academy, a Presbyterian school in Cheraw, South Carolina, Bob received his degree in Christian Education in 1942. He dedicated his life to teaching, and creating opportunities to further the church, civil rights and economic equality. In the Presbyterian Church he served in all levels: at the General Assembly, the Synod of the Northeast, the Presbytery of New York City and the Session of Rendall Memorial Presbyterian Church in Harlem, NY. It is in his memory and honor that this program has been established.

Purpose

The revitalized Robert L. Washington Scholars Program will prepare a new generation of leaders for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by grounding them in faith, justice, and leadership practice. Honoring the legacy of Elder Robert L. Washington, the program equips emerging leaders from underrepresented communities for impactful service in both church and society. The Washington Scholars Program emphasizes mentorship, theology, social justice, and servant leadership, which aligns naturally with the broader ecosystem of PC(U.S.A.) leadership formation programs. Together, these initiatives seek to empower faithful, diverse, and engaged leaders at multiple levels of church life and ministry.

Program Structure and Focus

The Robert L. Washington Scholars Program encourages academic excellence, leadership formation, and integration of faith in practice. The program provides mentorship and cultivates skills in theology, social justice advocacy, and servant leadership to foster a deeper sense of call to Christian service. The program is open to undergraduate students, recent college graduates, or seminarians. Members of Presbyterian congregations within the Synod of the Northeast demonstrating a strong commitment to faith, learning, leadership, and community engagement are also encouraged to apply.

Recruitment takes place January through March via promotion and outreach to presbyteries, congregations, colleges, and seminaries. Applications will be received by April 15 and the team will announce the new cohort by June 1.

The one-year program includes an orientation and commissioning retreat, a mentorship program and quarterly leadership and faith formation workshops. Participants will offer a capstone presentation as a final reflection on their program experience.

Synod Leadership reviews applications and makes final candidate selections. They also provide strategic direction and approve the program budget. A program advisory board will be composed of educators, past scholars and mentors, advises on curriculum, recruitment, and partnerships. Program staff include a program coordinator to oversee operations and budget, administrative support to coordinate documentation, reporting, and events. Volunteer roles include a mentorship team and a scholar alumni network, both of which engage participants in mentorship, growth and discernment.

Funding for the program will draw upon the Wurffel-Sills Endowment and be supplemented through additional sources, such as budget allocations, congregational sponsorships and grants from Presbyterian foundations. The program is designed to increase confidence in faith-based leaders, expand the Synod-wide network of emerging leaders and provide connections for leadership opportunities within PC(U.S.A.). Surveys, mentor feedback forms, service project evaluations, and an annual review will serve as program evaluation tools to ensure these outcomes are being met.