About Us

Why Join the Mellon Scholars Program?

The Humanities Mellon Scholars Program at USF offers a deeply immersive experience designed specifically for community college transfer students. From your first semester, you'll join a close-knit cohort of fellow transfers and build lasting connections through monthly community-building events, workshops, and collaborative programming. Guided by a dedicated team of faculty mentors and staff, Mellon Scholars gain access to personalized support, flexible work study internships, enriching cultural and academic opportunities, and immersive learning experiences that bring USF's interdisciplinary liberal arts education to life. This is more than a program - it's a vibrant community that empowers you to thrive socially, academically, and personally.

Internships

Mellon Scholars are guaranteed at least 2 paid internships for two semesters, at $25 per hour for 150 hours per semester. Internships can be either internal at USF, or external, and we work closely with students to assist them in the position that is right for their academic interests and career goals.

Our Mission

This program, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, responds to a growing need for professionals who are skilled in innovation, critical thinking, and problem solving. Studying the humanities is a powerful way to develop these abilities. By examining the records of human experience — including the visual arts, literature, film, and philosophy — students develop a lifelong practice of inquiry that fosters deep knowledge and wisdom about the past and present, and guides them in imagining the future.