About Novella Fortner Beskid

Beskid founded the office now known as National Fellowships and Scholar Programs in 1994 and served as its director until 2016. She continued leading as Assistant Dean for National Fellowships and Scholar Programs until her retirement from the University of South Carolina in 2022. In her 28 years with NFSP, Beskid mentored hundreds of students through competitive applications, established partnerships with faculty and university administration and built one of the largest and oldest offices of its kind in the country. She was committed to the value of the application process and the effect that a fellowship could have on a student’s life.

“I think National Fellowship advising, done well – meaning working with an advisor and faculty and having time for writing a reflection and having interview preparation – if you’re going through that process, it is the most powerful integrative learning exercise that I know of. The reflection back on what students have done, how their plans have changed, what they want to do to impact the world – if you do all this, which you have to do to be competitive for a national fellowship – it’s extremely powerful to clarify who you are and where you’re headed.” – Novella Fortner Beskid.

The Application

In the spirit of the process that Beskid championed, we’re asking applicants for this award to reflect on the ways in which their fellowship — the application, the experience, the funding — impacted their career trajectories and current professional pursuits.

Nominate a peer or yourself for recognition using our nomination form below.

Deadline: December 1, 11:59 p.m. EST