KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 15, 2026

Kennesaw State University (KSU) will launch a Presidential Fellows Cohort in fall 2027, establishing a premier scholarship and leadership initiative designed to attract, retain and develop some of Georgia's highest-achieving students.

Housed within the KSU Journey Honors College, the Presidential Fellows Cohort will offer Kennesaw State’s largest and most prestigious scholarship package, providing recipients with a $10,000 annual scholarship for up to four years. Fellows will also receive personalized mentorship, participate in executive shadowing experiences with business and community leaders, complete a specialized leadership curriculum, and study abroad in Montepulciano, Italy.

“The Presidential Fellows Cohort reflects our commitment to investing in outstanding students and our belief that they should have the opportunity to do more than earn a degree,” said Kennesaw State President Kathy S. Schwaig. “It is also a powerful way to attract exceptional students to Kennesaw State while giving Owls opportunities to discover what they are capable of, lead with purpose and make a meaningful difference in their communities and professions.”

The program builds on KSU's strengths as a growing public research university located in metro Atlanta, one of the nation's most dynamic centers for business, technology, health care, logistics and entrepreneurship. Students will benefit from access to undergraduate research opportunities, industry partnerships, leadership experiences and a network of employers and community leaders throughout the region.

"The Presidential Fellows Cohort represents the very best of the Honors College experience at Kennesaw State," said Karen Kornweibel, dean of the KSU Journey Honors College. "By combining leadership theory, mentorship, executive shadowing, global engagement and preparation for prestigious national awards, we are creating a transformational experience that helps students translate their talents into opportunities and positions them for success long after graduation."

Fellows will benefit from the personalized support and sense of community that define the KSU Journey Honors College while taking advantage of the extensive academic, research and professional opportunities available at Kennesaw State. As members of a select cohort, students will build lasting relationships with peers who share their drive for achievement and leadership.

Candidates for the Presidential Fellows Cohort will be identified through a selective process designed to attract exceptional high school students from across Georgia. The inaugural cohort will include 10 students selected through a highly competitive process within the KSU Journey Honors College.

Prospective students and families can learn more by visiting the Honors College website at https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/honors/presidential-fellows.php.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.