The retreat is held over a weekend. Throughout the academic year, mandatory group meetings are held weekly. Fellows are encourages sharing information on not only their research and academics, but there lives in general. A calendar of program activities is distributed early in the Fall semester and includes such activities as presentations of summer research, workshops on the graduate school application process, how to write a personal statement, how to apply for fellowships and grants, resume writing, and several panel discussions on campus research opportunities. All program activities are scheduled during the weekly meeting time, with the exception of cultural and social activities.
Faculty are welcome to attend all meetings as their schedules permit.
Fellows also attend professional conferences in their disciplines. In addition to weekly group meetings, graduate assistants meet regularly with the Fellows individually to monitor their progress and offer whatever assistance is required. Since 1989, the Penn MMUF program has supported a total of 39 Fellows. Of this group, three have already completed their Ph.D. programs in Mellon designated fields. Dr. Miriam Harris, a member of the first cohort of Penn MMUF fellows, graduated from the University of Minnesota in April 1997, with a doctorate in American Studies.