Get Involved

Shape future civic leadership

Coro develops civic leaders by immersing them in rigorous, experiential, community-based leadership training. Coro Fellows are empowered to work effectively across sectors, catalyze systems, and accelerate positive change.

There are many ways for the metro St. Louis community to get involved with the Coro Fellows Program.

Join the Advisory Council

Shape current and future Coro Fellows’ experience by joining the Advisory Council. Leverage your unique position within the St. Louis ecosystem to connect Fellows with your professional networks, support program staff, and guide the Coro Fellows Program’s future in St. Louis. The Advisory Council is comprised of alumni and other community members committed to the growing civic leaders in St. Louis. Interested in joining? Get in touch with the Coro team by emailing coro@umsl.edu to learn more.

Advisory Council members attend a quarterly convening to support program development, recruiting Fellows, and securing placements.

Work With Fellows

  • Field placements are a cornerstone of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs. Each Coro Fellow has multiple placements throughout the program that expose them to sectors including business, government, and nonprofit. The host fee contribution is calculated based on the placement type and number of Fellows you host. Through their work at placements, Fellows have the opportunity to learn how different organizations work and fit into the social, political, and economic fabric of the St. Louis region.

    While in placement Coro Fellows:

    • Complete a specific, high-impact project (or projects) for the host organization

    • Learn about the culture, structure, and function(s) of a particular organization

    • Gain an understanding of the communication and decision-making processes within the organization

    • Observe how the organization interacts with and relates to the community as a whole 

    • Provide a unique perspective on the organization’s efforts and impact

    Submit a placement request form or get in touch with the Coro team at coro@umsl.edu to learn more.

  • Each year, Fellows complete at least five “Focus Weeks” during which they explore regionally significant topics through a range of pre-determined and self-guided learning experiences in community. Topics vary from year-to-year and have included agriculture, media, tech, and health care among others. Bring Fellows to your organization for a day to…

    • Tour your facilities

    • Meet key leaders at your organization

    • Learn about the work you do


    Hosting a Focus Week activity is a great way to share more about your organization with tomorrow’s civic leaders. Fill out this form or email the Coro team at coro@umsl.edu to get started!

  • Fellows hone effective inquiry skills and learn more about the region through interviews with local leaders (and alumni across the country) like you. One-hour interviews led by the cohort are conducted at your workplace, in-person at Delmar DivINe, or virtually over Zoom. Get in touch with the Coro team by filling out this form.

Support Recruitment

  • Do you know someone who would be a great Coro Fellow? Someone who should host a Placement or participate in an interview? Connect the Coro team with your network by nominating a Fellow or supporting recruitment of placement hosts, Focus Week activities, and interviewees. Ask them to get involved by filling out the interest form or emailing the Coro team at coro@umsl.edu!

  • Several events throughout recruitment season (typically September-December) require community support to help us build a cohort ready to work together and challenge each other to grow. While there are key opportunities for Coro alumni, unless otherwise noted, these opportunities are open to anyone from the Coro community including Placement or Focus Week hosts, interviewees, or other supporters!

    • Alumni are invited to organize or join informational events: The Coro at UMSL team partners with universities to host alumni panels for prospective applicants to learn more about the program. Share your insights on “a day in the life” of a Coro Fellow and reflections of how Coro has shaped your professional path. Fill out this form to get started!

    • Review applications: Application reviewers  (mid January - early February) help the Coro at UMSL team identify applicants who are ready for Selection Day. Sign up for the newsletter to ensure that you receive the request for  application reviewers (and stay informed about the program overall)!

    • Be a Selection Day judge: Selection Day (one Saturday in March) is an interactive day when judges interact with and evaluate candidates. Based on the increased access for participation that the virtual setting creates for candidates and judges alike, we anticipate 2026 Selection Day for St. Louis to remain virtual. Have questions about what virtual Selection Day looks and feels like? Reach out at coro@umsl.edu.

  • Prospective applicants for Coro are often highly motivated individuals who have many options they could choose to pursue following graduation. Help us show them how Coro is the right foundation on which to build their careers and choices. Fill out this form to share more about the value of your Coro experience– whether you’re a program alum, a placement host, or other supporter who wants to share about the impact of Coro!

Questions?
Get in touch with the Coro at UMSL team.

Brochure
Download the one-pager overview of the Coro Fellows Program at UMSL.

Nominate
Nominate someone you think would be a great fit for the Fellows Program in Public Affairs.