Five students have been chosen for Mercer University’s 2026-27 Presidential Fellowship, a highly selective leadership opportunity for exceptional students. Fellows will work alongside President Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D., gaining firsthand exposure to institutional leadership, strategy and service.
The students were selected from nearly 100 applicants from Mercer locations throughout the state. The fellowship, sponsored by the University’s Center for Leadership, Ethics and Service and the Office of the President, began Oct. 6.
“The students selected for this year’s Presidential Fellowship represent the best of Mercer. They are talented scholars, yes, but what sets them apart is their character, their commitment to service and their desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Mercer President Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D. “I look forward to working alongside them and watching their continued growth as leaders and future world changers.”
The Presidential Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year are:
- Caleb “Bo” Bagley, LAW ’28, a juris doctor candidate from Alma
- Ujvali Patel, CLAS ’28, a neuroscience major from Tifton
- Noah Porter, CLAS ’27, a psychology and religion double-major from East Dublin
- Allison Sidley, CLAS ’28, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Evans
- Jess Sinclair, DIV/BUS ’29, a combined Master of Divinity/Master of Business Administration student from Americus
Bagley, Patel, Porter and Sidley are located on the Macon campus, and Sinclair is in Atlanta.
The Presidential Fellowship is designed to cultivate purposeful leadership grounded in reflection, guided by values and expressed through listening, leading and serving in support of Mercer’s mission.
Fellows will observe high-level engagements, participate in leadership dialogues, and represent Mercer with professionalism and care. In addition to shadowing, the fellows will contribute meaningfully through an applied spring project with the Center for Leadership, Ethics and Service. The project will be focused on leadership through a character lens and the exercise of judgment, voice and initiative in service of the University.
Past fellows attended cabinet and Board of Trustees meetings, represented Mercer at the state Capitol, and engaged with alumni, accreditation teams and fundraising initiatives.
Elkins created the Presidential Fellowship upon taking the helm as Mercer’s 19th president in January. This is the second cohort of students.
“Our inaugural cohort helped establish a strong foundation for the Presidential Fellowship through their engagement, thoughtful perspectives and commitment to Mercer’s mission. Their contributions helped bring the program to life and set a high standard for those who follow,” Elkins said.
