Joanna Macy Fellows Program
Meet the Joanna Macy Fellows 24–25
Lenz Joanna Macy Residential Fellowship
Co-sponsored by the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation and the Ladybug Foundation
The Joanna Macy Center for Resilience and Regeneration (JMCR) at Naropa University, overseen by the Division of Mission Culture and Inclusive Community (MCIC), is currently seeking an activist-scholar-practitioner to support the JMCR mission and Naropa’s values by providing on-campus and off-campus experiences for students, staff, faculty, and the public.
The ideal candidate will be well-versed in Dr. Joanna Macy’s work and ideally trained in facilitating “The Work That Reconnects,” demonstrating a strong commitment to ecological justice. Expertise in areas such as systems thinking and design, liberation dharma, Buddhist studies, contemplative practice, Earth justice, permaculture design, contemplative education, food sovereignty, food justice, ancestral healing, social justice, water and land stewardship, community organizing, and sacred activism is highly valued.
The selected fellow will play a pivotal role as a strategic partner in envisioning, designing, and implementing programs for Naropa University and Front Range community partners to translate Dr. Joanna Macy’s work into actionable events.
Key responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with MCIC staff and the JMCR Faculty Committee through weekly meetings. May include creative projects, artifacts, interventions, community activities and actions.
- Organizing Fall and Spring Community Practice Days based on Joanna Macy’s works.
- Assisting faculty and staff in integrating Joanna Macy’s work into curricular offerings.
- Developing impactful programs, courses, workshops, and dialogues to engage the community with Dr. Joanna Macy’s work.
- Publishing findings from initiatives and research related to The Work That Reconnects.
- Establishing external partnerships within the local community to expand Naropa University’s network.
- Contributing to the planning of Naropa’s 50th Anniversary Joanna Macy Conference in 2025 as a featured presenter.
This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to deepen professional skills while actively contributing to building a more resilient world aligned with Dr. Joanna Macy’s vision of interconnectedness and ecological sustainability.
This 10-month fellowship program runs September 1, 2024–May 30, 2025, with an option to renew for a second year, September 1, 2025–May 29, 2026.
This role is .6 FTE.
Note: The Joanna Macy Center’s Frederick P. Lenz Foundation and Ladybug Foundation Residential Fellowship is restricted to citizens and permanent residents of the United States.
Nuclear Guardian Fellowship
Sponsored by the Ladybug Foundation
Work related to this fellowship will responsively lead Joanna Macy-inspired practices and workshops with change makers, nuclear guardianship experts, and communities impacted by various nuclear activities advocating the future legacy of Nuclear Guardianship across the planet. The fellowship is awarded to a professional who has significant familiarity with Dr. Macy’s work and nuclear anti-proliferation.
- Develop two annual Heart Tanks (at least one focused on Rocky Flats) and one Planning Retreat per year.
- Collaborations with the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center’s Nuclear Nexus and Boulder County Climate Justice Hive to consult, facilitate, and partner on Nuclear Guardianship initiatives.
- Host events focused on (and manage public engagement with) films related Nuclear Guardianship.
This 9-month fellowship program runs August 1, 2024–May 1, 2025, with an option to renew for a second year, August 1, 2025–May 1, 2026.
This role is .18 FTE.
Note: While our preference is to find someone who works residential in Boulder, CO, there are aspects of the work that could be delivered remotely with a commitment to be present on campus and in the Boulder area at a minimum for both Heart Tanks, the Planning Retreat, and at least two Nuclear Nexus meetings. The Joanna Macy Center’s Nuclear Guardian Fellowship is restricted to citizens and permanent residents of the United States.
Earth Guardian & Sustainability Fellowship
Sponsored by the Ladybug Foundation
- Building on the Naropa University Climate Action Plan to identify additional practical goals towards carbon neutrality.
- Enhancing the campus Zero Waste Programs through training.
- Supervising the campus sustainability monitoring program for ongoing sustainability assessment, including STARS and greenhouse gas inventory.
- Institutionalizing campus resource conservation methods, energy and water conservation, facility energy upgrades, sustainability-related maintenance, and landscape operations etc.
- Collecting data and information for Naropa’s Second Nature Climate Commitment.
- Developing pollinator habitats throughout Naropa grounds and into the Boulder County community.
- Supporting Earth Justice Day and Earth Justice Week events.
- Providing support for student projects regarding sustainability.
This 10-month fellowship program runs August 12, 2024–May 30, 2025, with an option to renew for a second year, August 11, 2025–May 29, 2026.
This role is .4 FTE.
